Air Cambodia Orders Up to 20 Boeing 737 Max Narrowbodies

Air Cambodia has become a new Boeing customer, confirming an order for up to twenty 737 Max narrowbodies at the Singapore Airshow on Tuesday. The deal, which was privately agreed in December, covers ten 737-8s with options for 10 more. At list prices, the deal is worth up to $2.4 billion. 

The Phnom Penh-based carrier’s fleet includes a mix of six Airbus A320s and ATR 72s, serving domestic routes and destinations in China, India, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. It previously agreed to buy up to 20 C909 and C919 airliners from China’s Comac group.

In a two-class configuration, the 737-8 twinjets will provide a range of up to 3,500 nm to support Air Cambodia’s plans to expand its network. According to Boeing, the Max models will be 20% more fuel efficient than the airline's current aircraft.

“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,” said the airline’s CEO, David Zhan.

Boeing’s most recent commercial market outlook forecasts that Southeast Asian airlines will need to add nearly 5,000 new aircraft over the next 20 years. Single-aisle jets are expected to account for more than 80% of deliveries.