Royal Air Cambodge History: Cambodia's National Airline – Airline Employee Shop

Royal Air Cambodge History

Royal Air Cambodge was Cambodia's national airline, founded in 1956, renamed Air Cambodge during the war years, and brought back under its royal name in the 1990s until it closed in 2001. Here's a short history of Royal Air Cambodge, plus the Royal Air Cambodge collection that celebrates them.

The kingdom's airline (1956-1970)

Royal Air Cambodge was founded in 1956, a few years after Cambodia gained independence from France. "Cambodge" is the French name for Cambodia. The airline was based at Pochentong, the airport serving the capital, Phnom Penh.

Air Cambodge (1970-1975)

After the Khmer Republic was established in 1970, the airline was renamed Air Cambodge. The war reached Phnom Penh's airport in the final months of the republic. On April 11, 1975, an Air Cambodge Douglas C-47 was damaged beyond repair in a rocket attack at Pochentong. After the Khmer Republic fell later that month, the airport was almost completely closed to international travel.

The royal name returns (1994-2001)

The Royal Air Cambodge name came back in 1994. The new airline was a joint venture between the Cambodian government, with 60 percent, and Malaysian Helicopter Services, with 40 percent, and Malaysia Airlines provided management and sales support. Its first flight ran from Phnom Penh to Kuala Lumpur with a leased Boeing 737-400. The fleet grew to include ATR 72 turboprops, a Boeing 737-200 and leased 737-400s, serving Siem Reap, Battambang and other Cambodian towns, plus Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Guangzhou. After losing more than $30 million, and with traffic falling after September 11, 2001, the airline shut down on October 16, 2001.

A few things collectors love

  • The airline flew under the IATA code VJ.
  • It wore three names in its history: Royal Air Cambodge, Air Cambodge, and Royal Air Cambodge again.

Shop Royal Air Cambodge

Browse Royal Air Cambodge logo T-shirts, coffee mugs, coasters, tote bags and vintage designs in the Royal Air Cambodge collection. Add an airline bag tag or key tag for a classic touch on your next trip.

AirlineEmployeeShop.com is an independent retailer of airline memorabilia. This page is for historical interest.