Phnom Penh Becomes Turkish Airlines’ 11th Southeast Asia City

Published on December 14, 2025

Turkish Airlines has added Phnom Penh to its scheduled international network, introducing direct services between Istanbul and Cambodia’s capital. With this launch, Cambodia becomes the airline’s seventh destination country in Southeast Asia and the 132nd country served globally. Phnom Penh also becomes the carrier’s 11th city in the Southeast Asian region, further extending Turkish Airlines’ Far East network to 20 cities and 21 airports.

The new route strengthens the airline’s presence in Southeast Asia while positioning Phnom Penh as a newly connected long-haul destination for international travel. The service marks a notable expansion for Turkish Airlines in the region, where network growth has continued through the addition of new cities and countries. At the time of launch, Turkish Airlines is the only European airline operating direct flights to Phnom Penh.

Flight Schedule And Aircraft Deployment On Istanbul–Phnom Penh Route

The Istanbul–Phnom Penh service is operated three times per week using a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Departures from Istanbul Airport are scheduled on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Return flights from Phnom Penh operate on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, offering a consistent bi-directional travel option between Türkiye and Cambodia.

All Phnom Penh-bound and outbound services operate through the city’s new Techo International Airport. The use of widebody aircraft reflects the long-haul nature of the route and supports passenger traffic between Europe and Southeast Asia. The three-times-weekly frequency establishes a regular travel corridor between Istanbul and Phnom Penh, enabling planned connectivity for travelers moving between the two regions.

The addition of Phnom Penh contributes directly to Turkish Airlines’ Far East network expansion, increasing the total number of cities and airports served in that region. This expansion aligns with the airline’s broader global reach, which now spans 132 countries.

Tourism-Oriented Connectivity Through Direct Long-Haul Access

The launch of direct flights introduces new long-haul travel access for passengers traveling between Türkiye and Cambodia. With scheduled nonstop services in place, international travelers are provided with a more streamlined journey to Phnom Penh, reducing the need for intermediate stops. This direct access supports inbound and outbound tourism flows by offering a structured and predictable flight schedule.

Travel connectivity plays a central role in destination accessibility, and the inclusion of Phnom Penh in Turkish Airlines’ network places the city within a broader global travel system. As part of the Southeast Asian route map, the Cambodian capital becomes more directly reachable for travelers using Istanbul as a connecting hub.

By integrating Phnom Penh into its scheduled operations, Turkish Airlines enhances the overall travel framework linking Europe and Southeast Asia. The route supports tourism-related travel movements by enabling smoother long-haul itineraries within the airline’s existing network structure.

Travel Demand And Passenger Access Within Expanding Networks

The addition of a new city within an established regional network contributes to diversified travel options for passengers. Regularly scheduled flights provide consistency for travelers planning international journeys, particularly on long-haul routes that connect distant regions.

As network coverage expands, passenger access to emerging markets becomes more structured through fixed schedules and designated gateways. The Istanbul–Phnom Penh route fits into this framework by linking an established global hub with a Southeast Asian capital now integrated into a broader air travel system.

Such network additions support travel planning by aligning frequencies, aircraft deployment, and airport operations into a unified service offering. For travelers, scheduled long-haul connectivity forms the backbone of international tourism movement without introducing additional routing complexity.

Promotional Fares Supporting Scheduled Travel Periods

To coincide with the launch of the new route, promotional round-trip fares have been made available for a limited booking period. Tickets booked until 10 February 2026 are eligible for travel through 31 October 2026, providing an extended window for planned journeys.

Round-trip fares start from USD 699 for departures from Istanbul and from USD 679 for departures from Phnom Penh. These fares apply within the defined booking and travel periods and are structured to support early planning for international travel between the two cities.

The availability of promotional pricing aligns with the introduction of the scheduled service and supports passenger uptake during the initial operating phase. The defined fare structure offers clarity for travelers considering travel timelines within the stated period.

Phnom Penh Joins Turkish Airlines’ Southeast Asia Footprint

With Phnom Penh added to the route map, Turkish Airlines’ Southeast Asia presence now includes 11 cities across seven countries. The region forms part of the airline’s Far East network, which now spans 20 cities and 21 airports. This expansion reflects the airline’s continued geographic growth within Southeast Asia through scheduled services.

Phnom Penh’s inclusion also positions Cambodia within Turkish Airlines’ global country network, increasing the total number of countries served to 132. The route reinforces Istanbul’s role as a long-haul gateway connecting Europe with destinations across Asia.

As the only European airline operating direct flights to Phnom Penh, Turkish Airlines establishes a distinct operational presence on this route. The scheduled service integrates Cambodia’s capital into a wider international aviation network focused on long-haul travel connectivity.

Image Source: AI