Inbizzy, Phnom Penh, – Cambodia has officially inaugurated the $2 billion Techo International Airport on Tuesday (Sept 9), replacing Phnom Penh International Airport which had been in operation since 1959. The new facility is expected to strengthen the country’s aviation infrastructure and support the recovery of its tourism industry.
Located about 20 kilometers south of Phnom Penh, the airport spans 2,600 hectares. It was constructed by a major Chinese state-owned construction firm and jointly funded by the Cambodian government and the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC).
First Flights and Passenger Reception
The inaugural flight, operated by Air Cambodia from China, was greeted with a traditional water cannon salute. A total of 160 passengers were welcomed by Khmer traditional dancers upon arrival. Travelers passed by golden Buddha statues and tall trees beneath the steel grid-shell roof designed by award-winning British architectural firm Foster and Partners.
British traveler David Weare, who arrived on a Singapore Airlines flight, said it was “a great honor to be among the first passengers at the airport.”
“What I can see, it looks amazing, it’s fantastic … I can’t wait to get through and see the rest of it,” he told AFP.
Capacity and Development Phases
According to Sinn Chanserey Vutha, spokesman for Cambodia’s Civil Aviation Authority, the first phase of development cost approximately $2 billion. The airport can currently handle up to 13 million passengers annually and aims to accommodate up to 50 million by 2050.
The old Phnom Penh International Airport was permanently closed a day before Techo’s inauguration, due to capacity limitations that prevented it from serving larger aircraft.
Second Major Infrastructure Project in Two Years
Techo is the second major airport to open in Cambodia in two years, following the $1.1 billion China-funded terminal near the Angkor Wat temple complex, inaugurated in November 2023.
Social and Economic Impact
While the project is seen as a symbol of modernization, it has also drawn controversy. The NGO Sahmakum Teang Tnaut (STT) estimated that around 2,000 households have been or may be displaced due to the airport’s construction.
“For some, the airport signifies a final devastating chapter in a long struggle for land, livelihood, and community,” the group said in a report cited by AFP.
Civil aviation officials said most land disputes are “almost resolved.”
Tourism remains a key driver of Cambodia’s economy. In 2024, the country welcomed 6.7 million international visitors, generating approximately $3.6 billion in revenue. Authorities hope the new airport will boost visitor numbers following sluggish recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic.
