Air Transat's Codeshare: A New Gateway for North American Travelers to Cambodia

For years, the journey from North America to Cambodia has been a multi-stop odyssey, often requiring intricate planning and multiple tickets. Now, a recent approval from the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) for Air Transat to operate codeshare flights to Cambodia could be a game-changer, potentially simplifying access and offering a more streamlined experience for travelers from Canada and beyond.

The CTA's decision, issued on October 7, 2026, grants Air Transat the license to establish scheduled international service to Cambodia through a codesharing arrangement. While the official partner isn't explicitly named in the approval, all signs point to Turkish Airlines, with whom Air Transat has an existing interline and codeshare partnership established in fall 2025. This makes perfect sense, as Turkish Airlines already operates three weekly flights from its Istanbul hub to Phnom Penh, a crucial connection point for many international travelers.

Air Transat's commitment to connecting North America with Istanbul is already strong, with year-round flights from Toronto launched in December 2025 and new nonstop Montreal-Istanbul service starting October 29. This strategic timing positions the codeshare as a timely opportunity to bridge the geographical gap to Cambodia, which has long been a destination that requires a significant journey.

A Simpler Path Through Istanbul

One of the biggest hurdles for North American travelers heading to Cambodia has been the lack of direct flights from Europe or North America. Most journeys involve at least one, if not two, stopovers in hubs like Bangkok, Singapore, or Doha. This complexity often translates into higher costs and the potential for travel headaches, especially when booking separate tickets for connecting flights which can require unexpected visas for baggage re-check, as is the case for transiting through Vietnam, for example. The new codeshare with Turkish Airlines, therefore, offers a compelling alternative. Instead of piecing together itineraries, travelers can potentially book a single ticket from a Canadian city, through Istanbul, and directly to Phnom Penh. This not only offers peace of mind but could also present more competitive bundled fares, simplifying a journey that has traditionally been rather convoluted.

Cambodia's Airports Are Ready for Growth

Cambodia has made significant investments in its aviation infrastructure, opening the new Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) in late 2023 and the impressive Techo International Airport (KTI) in Phnom Penh on September 9, 2025. These modern gateways are designed to handle millions of passengers annually—KTI alone boasts a capacity of 15 million passengers, with future expansion plans for up to 50 million. However, such ambitious projects come with increased costs, including higher landing fees for airlines, which are often passed on to travelers, contributing to the elevated prices seen in flights from Europe to Cambodia. A return flight from Paris to Phnom Penh in November 2025, for instance, now costs around €1,250 to €1,550, a significant jump from €750 to €900 in 2019, partly due to these factors, alongside the Russian airspace ban and increased Chinese tourism.

Increased accessibility through partnerships like the Air Transat-Turkish Airlines codeshare is exactly what Cambodia's new airports need to thrive. By drawing in more travelers from previously underserviced markets like North America, these hubs can fully realize their potential, stimulating tourism and economic growth. KTI, in particular, is positioned as a primary international gateway, and expanding its network with long-haul connections from major Western markets is crucial for its success.

What This Means for Travelers

For North American visitors, this codeshare means a potentially smoother, more predictable journey to Phnom Penh. While a flight from Istanbul to Phnom Penh still clocks in at about 12 to 13 hours, having it integrated into a single booking with an airline like Air Transat simplifies the entire process. Travelers will benefit from coordinated baggage handling and streamlined customer service, often avoiding the pitfalls of self-connecting itineraries. When booking, travelers should look for the