KOLKATA- IndiGo Airlines (6E) has announced the launch of its first-ever service to Cambodia. The airline will introduce direct flights between Kolkata and Siem Reap starting November 13, 2025.
This marks a significant milestone as it becomes the first Indian carrier to operate direct flights to Cambodia, establishing a new air corridor between the two nations.
The route will operate three times weekly using the airline’s Airbus A320neo aircraft, connecting Kolkata with Siem Reap, home to the renowned Angkor Wat temple complex.
This service addresses the growing demand for direct connectivity between eastern India and Southeast Asian destinations, particularly for leisure travelers seeking cultural and heritage tourism experiences.
Photo- Aeroprints.com; Wikimedia CommonsIndiGo to Launch Cambodia Flights
The new service will operate three times weekly on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays using Airbus A320neo aircraft.
- Flight 6E1655 departs Kolkata at 01:50 AM and will be arriving in Siem Reap at 06:20 AM local time.
- The return flight 6E1656 leaves Siem Reap at 07:20 AM local time and reaches Kolkata at 08:55 AM.
The early morning departure from Kolkata might seem unusual, but it actually works quite well for travelers. You leave late at night, and arrive in Siem Reap early enough to check into your hotel and start exploring by mid-morning.
The return timing is equally convenient, allowing for a morning departure that gets you back to Kolkata before noon.
Second India-Cambodia Link
Photo: Harsh Tekriwal | AvgeekwithLensIndiGo’s Kolkata – Siem Reap connection becomes only the second non-stop connection between India and Cambodia.
Currently, Air Cambodia operates flights between Phnom Penh and New Delhi. This makes IndiGo’s Kolkata-Siem Reap route a complementary addition rather than direct competition.
The choice of Siem Reap over Phnom Penh is telling – Siem Reap is home to Angkor Wat, one of Southeast Asia’s most visited tourist destinations, suggesting IndiGo is primarily targeting leisure travelers.
Kolkata makes sense as the origin point for several reasons. The city has historical and cultural connections with Southeast Asia.
The city also has a growing middle class with disposable income for international travel and relatively limited direct international connectivity compared to metros like Delhi or Mumbai. Eastern India has been underserved for Southeast Asian destinations, making this route fill a genuine gap.
Southeast Asian Network Expansion
Photo: Tobias GudatWith Cambodia joining the network, IndiGo now serves seven out of eleven Southeast Asian countries.
The airline currently operates to Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, with Myanmar flights suspended. This extensive Southeast Asian coverage shows how IndiGo is building a comprehensive regional network beyond its dominant domestic operations.
The four Southeast Asian nations without IndiGo service are the Philippines, Laos, Timor-Leste, and Brunei Darussalam. Of these, the Philippines looks like the obvious next target.
Manila has strong business and leisure travel potential, plus a significant cultural connection with India. Laos and Timor-Leste have much smaller aviation markets, while Brunei’s small population probably doesn’t justify dedicated service.
Philippines would make complete sense as IndiGo’s next Southeast Asian destination. The country has a growing economy, increasing Indian business interests, and decent tourist appeal. Routes from Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru to Manila could work well.
Market Potential and Competition
Photo: Clément AlloingThe Cambodia tourism market has been growing steadily, with Angkor Wat pulling visitors from around the world.
Indian tourists have been discovering Southeast Asian destinations beyond the usual Thailand and Singapore, and Cambodia offers a unique cultural experience at relatively affordable prices.
Currently, Indians traveling to Siem Reap typically connect through Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore. A direct flight cuts travel time significantly and removes the hassle of connections. For a weekend trip or short vacation, this time-saving makes Cambodia much more accessible.
The three-times-weekly frequency suggests IndiGo is testing the market before potentially increasing to daily operations.
Starting conservatively makes sense for a completely new route where demand patterns need to be established. If the loads are good, we could see frequency increases within a year.
IndiGo’s Hub Strategy and Network Impact
Photo: EurospotIndiGo is positioning Kolkata as a connecting hub for this route, aiming to funnel passengers from other parts of India through Kolkata to reach Cambodia. IndiGo’s launch of the Kolkata-Siem Reap route is more than just point-to-point connectivity between the two cities.
The airline is positioning Kolkata as a connecting hub to channel passengers from across India to Cambodia.
The airline will leverage its extensive domestic network. Passengers from cities in eastern and northeastern India, as well as other regions, can connect through Kolkata to reach Siem Reap. This hub strategy allows IndiGo to build viable load factors on the route by drawing from a larger catchment area beyond just Kolkata’s local market.
The airline has a strong domestic presence, with multiple daily flights to Kolkata from various Indian cities. This will provide the feed traffic necessary to sustain international operations.
Cambodia’s visa-on-arrival policy for Indian travelers further enhances the route’s appeal, eliminating bureaucratic barriers that might otherwise deter spontaneous travel.
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