Cambodia on Tuesday celebrated the official operation of the $1.5 billion Techo International Airport—hailed as a new gateway for global connectivity, despite being shadowed by protests from people who were evicted from the land during its construction.
The airport, designed to handle up to 13 million passengers and 26,000 tons of cargo annually in its first phase, will serve domestic and international travelers.
The first operation day featured a water cannon salute and Khmer traditional dance to welcome the first 300 passengers—165 arriving on Air Cambodia from Guangzhou, China, and 94 on a Singapore Airlines flight from Singapore. Many passengers expressed excitement, praising the new airport as “beautiful” and “huge” compared to the old Phnom Penh International Airport, which had served as the country’s main international gateway for nearly seven decades since 1959.
“Techo International Airport [is a] major achievement and a new pride of Cambodia,” Senate President Hun Sen wrote on Facebook, noting that the opening represents an important step for the aviation sector and the economy, as well as transforming the country into a regional aviation hub.
While the airport began operations today, its official opening is scheduled for October 20, 2025.
Covering 2,600 hectares across Kandal Stung district in Kandal province and parts of Bati district in Takeo province, the airport is strategically located about 20 kilometers south of Phnom Penh.
Sin Chansery Vutha, spokesperson for the Secretariat of State for Civil Aviation (SSCA), told reporters that Air Cambodia and Singapore Airlines were the first two airlines to touch down at the airport, with several other landings recorded throughout the day.
The airport is a 4F-class facility, capable of handling the largest aircraft—a limitation of Phnom Penh’s previous airport.
“We expect this airport to facilitate travel and promote tourism growth,” he said. “Our competitiveness and strength are here, and we aim to turn this airport into a [flight] hub within the next five years.”
He added that visitor arrivals to Cambodia grew 16% year-on-year in the first seven months of 2025.
The project, managed by Cambodia Airport Investment Company (CAIC), has so far cost about $2 billion, up from an initial estimate of $1.5 billion, he said.
To support travelers, Chansery Vutha said the government has launched a bus service to connect the new airport to the city, while parking facilities are being completed. Plans are also underway to build a light rail line linking the airport and the city center.
Chhay Sivlin, president of Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA), said Cambodia can use the new airport as leverage to attract direct flights from major markets.
“With the opening of this large airport, we also have the opportunity to promote Cambodia through tourism packages and draw more tourists,” she said, adding that it would attract more investors.
Among the first passengers to arrive was Hak Chievhun, a Cambodian who traveled from Australia via Singapore Airlines to visit her family. She expressed joy upon seeing Cambodia’s new aviation landmark.
“Compared to the old airport, there are many differences in terms of design and standard. It’s on par with airports in other countries and can compete with our neighbors,” she said. “I think our new airport has very high standards. Foreigners would be more keen to come to Cambodia when we have an airport that can accommodate large aircrafts.”
Srun Sengky, a Phnom Penh resident flying to Guangzhou, said he deliberately booked his ticket on the airport’s first day of operation.
“I have flown many times, but this time I feel excited and proud. This new airport is as good as those in Singapore, Korea, and China,” he said.
While passengers celebrated the first day of operations at the new airport, its years of construction have been marked by the struggle of hundreds of families in Kandal and Takeo provinces who had to make way for it.
They have long petitioned and protested inadequate compensation, with no relief as yet. Farmers in Takeo were offered as little as $1 per square meter, while villagers in Kandal reported offers of around $8 per square meter.
Chansery Vutha acknowledged the people’s dispute but said authorities are “nearly finished” addressing the compensation issues.
“The public is always concerned about this problem,” he added, “but solutions [compensation] will depend on the market.”
