Air Cambodia lines up up to 20 Boeing 737-8 jets

Boeing and Air Cambodia shared a new aircraft deal at the Singapore Airshow. Air Cambodia placed a firm order for 10 737-8 jets and added an option for 10 more. The agreement gives the airline a path to as many as 20 new planes, which makes this its largest single-aisle order so far.

Air Cambodia completed the firm part of the deal in December 2025. Boeing first listed the order without naming the airline on its Orders and Deliveries site. Boeing later identified Air Cambodia as the customer when it shared the announcement at the airshow.

Air Cambodia also made a first with this purchase. The airline has not bought these newer Boeing jets before, and it plans to use them to refresh its fleet and add more routes at the same time. Air Cambodia wants to connect more cities across Asia as travel demand grows across the region.

Why Air Cambodia chose the 737-8

Air Cambodia wants a plane that fits many route types without forcing a major shift in how it runs its schedule. The airline plans to use the 737-8 on high-demand routes across Asia, where airlines often add frequency first before they move to larger aircraft.

The mix of a firm order and an option also gives the airline room to plan with care. The firm order locks in the first 10 jets, which helps Air Cambodia plan training, staffing, and route launches. The option gives Air Cambodia a way to add more aircraft if demand rises or if the airline wants to open more routes sooner.

“The 737-8 gives Air Cambodia the ideal combination of range, capacity and fuel efficiency to support our next phase of growth,” said Dr. David Zhan, CEO of Air Cambodia. “This investment – Air Cambodia’s largest narrowbody purchase – will let us launch direct services to important markets across North and Southeast Asia, and offer competitively priced travel for passengers, while creating local jobs and training opportunities that strengthen our communities.”

Air Cambodia tied this order to more nonstop flights and wider access to travel. The airline also linked the purchase to hiring and training, since airlines usually need more people across flight crews, ground operations, maintenance, and planning when they add aircraft.

What the 737-8 means for routes and costs

The 737-8 can fly up to 178 passengers in a two-class configuration, with a range up to 3,500 nautical miles, or 6,480 kilometers. That reach gives Air Cambodia a wide set of route options across North and Southeast Asia. The aircraft size also gives the airline flexibility. Air Cambodia can add seats where demand stays strong, then adjust schedules and frequency as markets change.

Boeing says the 737 MAX delivers a 20% reduction in fuel use and emissions compared to the airplanes it replaces. Airlines track fuel closely because fuel costs can shape ticket prices and route decisions. Lower fuel burn can help an airline keep more routes sustainable, especially on busy markets where travelers compare fares across many carriers.

“We are proud to welcome Air Cambodia as our newest 737 MAX customer and look forward to partnering with them to introduce the versatile and reliable 737-8 to the Kingdom of Cambodia,” said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. “We are committed to supporting the growth of aviation in Cambodia and throughout the region as Air Cambodia strengthens ties across Asia with these fuel-efficient airplanes.”

Air Cambodia now operates a fleet of six single-aisle and regional jets. The airline flies domestic routes and international services to Vietnam, India, Thailand, China, Japan, and Hong Kong. This new order gives Air Cambodia a clear way to grow from that base with a jet that fits many regional routes.

Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook expects Southeast Asian carriers to need nearly 5,000 new airplanes over the next twenty years. Single-aisle jets should make up more than 80% of those deliveries, which lines up with Air Cambodia’s plan to expand with the 737-8.