Cambodia’s new aviation hub, Techo International Airport in Phnom Penh, was officially inaugurated on 20 October.
Prime Minister Hun Manet cut the ribbon on the US$2 billion project, which hopes to put Cambodia on the map as Southeast Asia’s newest tourism and investment hub.
Natural light is at the heart of the airport’s glossy design, which also pays homage to Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage. Travellers entering the terminal can appreciate the curving roofline, inspired by the headdresses worn by Apsara dancers, as well as the nine-ton, 30 foot-high statue of the Buddha in the departures area.
Modern infrastructure is at the heart of Techo International. which boasts state-of-the-art facial recognition scanners and environmental certification. The conscientious design of the terminal also means travellers should never need walk more than 500 metres when they’re passing through.
The next phase of development will add a rail link to Phnom Penh’s centre. In the meantime, a new highway through the rice fields connects the airport to the capital city.
The old Phnom Penh International Airport is now closed, with no set plans for redevelopment. Turkish Airlines and Etihad are among the first major carriers to launch new routes to Techo International from Istanbul and Abu Dhabi, significantly improving Cambodia’s connectivity with the Middle East.
Aviation at the heart of Cambodia’s tourism ambitions
Cambodia currently attracts 2.5 million tourists each year, significantly fewer than its neighbours in Thailand (32 million) and Vietnam (18 million). The new Techo International Airport is just one of the many projects contributing to the country’s ‘Sacred Tourism 2025-2035’ masterplan.
Through Chinese investment, 2023 saw the US$1 billion upgrade of Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport, designed to attract more travellers to the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Angkor-Wat. The recent expansion of Cambodia Air has further cemented the country’s ambitions to become a greater player in the aviation industry.
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