Air Cambodia orders 20 COMAC C909 regional jets in landmark China deal
Cambodia has become the first export customer to place a bulk order for the Chinese-made COMAC C909 (formerly ARJ21) regional aircraft. The type has already reached leasing agreements with Vietnam’s low-cost carrier, Vietjet.
Air Cambodia orders 20 Chinese COMAC C909s
According to China’s state-run media, the Global Times, Air Cambodia has signed an agreement to purchase 20 COMAC C909s. In 2025, Reuters reported that Air Cambodia had signed a memorandum of understanding in China for ten confirmed C909 orders, with the option to purchase ten more.
The deal was signed in Shanghai during Cambodian PM Hun Manet’s visit to China, where he is attending the World Artificial Intelligence Conference.
Global Times wrote, “The agreement represents not only a significant achievement in China-Cambodia civil aviation cooperation, but also an important milestone in Air Cambodia’s development, marking a new stage in the expansion of its fleet.”
The first C909s are expected to be delivered to Air Cambodia and enter service in the second half of 2026. The C909 is a 78-95 seat regional jet that competes with aircraft like the Embraer E-Jet family and the Airbus A220-100.
Air Cambodia, the country's national flag carrier, has signed an agreement to purchase 20 C909 regional jets, becoming the first foreign flag carrier to place a bulk order for the Chinese-built aircraft, the planemaker Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) said.… pic.twitter.com/xsII5NyIeK
— China Science (@ChinaScience) July 20, 2026
Air Cambodia said, “The signing marks a landmark achievement in China-Cambodia civil aviation collaboration and a major milestone in Air Cambodia’s development, ushering in a new phase of fleet expansion for the national flag carrier.”
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China seeking to establish an export market for its COMAC aircraft
The C909, built by Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), has been in service in China for ten years, and China is looking to market the jet for export. The aircraft also operates in Indonesia, Laos, and Vietnam, meaning its export market is currently restricted to Southeast Asia.
It had its first commercial flight in June 2016, and it is already the mainstay of regional aviation in China. Chinese media states that the aircraft has carried more than 37 million passenger trips since entering service.
In April 2026, Vietjet reported, “Vietjet and SPDB Financial Leasing (SPDBFL), a subsidiary of Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, have exchanged an agreement for the finance lease of ten COMAC C909 aircraft, expanding financial and aviation cooperation between Vietnam and China.”
Air Cambodia significantly expanding from its fleet of six aircraft
According to Planespotters.net, Air Cambodia currently operates a fleet of three ATR 72s, two Airbus a320-200s, and a single A321-200. The small national carrier is currently undergoing significant expansion with ten Boeing 737 MAX 8s on order and ten more options.
This is in addition to the latest order for 20 C909s.
Aviation Week reports that the Cambodian Government holds a 30% stake in Air Cambodia, with Vietnam Airlines holding another 14% and the remaining shares held by China’s Henan Airport Investment Group and Hong Kong’s 7Trip International Co.
The economic and political relationship between Cambodia and China is one of the closest in Southeast Asia. Cambodia has long seen Chinese presence as a way of balancing its larger neighbours.
In July 2025, AGN reported that the Saab Gripen fighter jets had seen their first combat use with the Royal Thai Air Force during the border war between Cambodia and Thailand.
Featured Image: Air Cambodia
