Kandal, 20 October 2025 – Techo International Airport (KTI), Cambodia’s new 4F-class international gateway with a total investment of approximately USD 2.3 billion, was officially inaugurated this morning under the presidency of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, accompanied by Lok Chumteav Dr. PICH Chanmony Hun Manet.

The Techo International Airport project was initiated from the visionary leadership of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, former Prime Minister and current President of the Senate.

The grand inauguration of this 4F-rated international airport reaffirms the Royal Government’s strong commitment to developing major infrastructure to drive national growth and elevate Cambodia’s standing as a key tourism and business destination in Southeast Asia.

Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that KTI will serve as a powerful engine for Cambodia’s economic and tourism development. The large-scale infrastructure project officially began operations on 9 September 2025, replacing Phnom Penh International Airport (PPIA) as the Kingdom’s main aviation hub.

In his keynote address, the Prime Minister emphasized the strategic importance of the new airport in expanding Cambodia’s air connectivity to the world:

“This airport represents a remarkable achievement and a milestone in our nation’s development. It will strengthen Cambodia’s aviation network and connect our Kingdom to global tourism and trade destinations.”

He also outlined five key recommendations:

1.     The State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) should work with relevant ministries to restore flight routes suspended during the COVID-19 period and establish new direct connections with major tourist cities.

2.     The Ministry of Tourism should enhance promotional strategies to highlight Cambodia’s tourism potential and encourage more direct and connecting flights.

3.     The Ministry of Interior should continue monitoring transnational threats—such as terrorism, human trafficking, and organized crime—to ensure passenger safety.

4.     SSCA and OCIC must uphold high standards of safety, hygiene, order, and distinctly Cambodian hospitality in service delivery.

5.     The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) and investment taskforces should foster an attractive business environment, positioning both KTI and Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI) as symbols of Cambodia’s growth and progress.

Lok Neak Oknha Dr. Pung Kheav Se, Chairman of Cambodia Airport Investment Co., Ltd. (CAIC), explained that the first phase of the project, valued at around USD 2.3 billion, covers the passenger terminal, VVIP terminal, airfield, facilities, cargo warehouses, air bridges, and the full operational transfer from Phnom Penh International Airport to Techo International Airport.

The project is financed through OCIC’s equity investment and local financial institutions via bond issuance, and was entirely developed and managed by Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC).

Located on approximately 2,600 hectares of land spanning Kandal Stung District (Kandal Province) and Bati District (Takeo Province)—about 20 kilometers south of Phnom Penh—construction began on 7 January 2020 and was completed on 31 July 2025.

The project is being developed in three phases:

·        Phase I (2020–2030): Capacity of 15 million passengers per year, featuring a 4,000m x 60m runway, 75 aircraft stands, and a spacious terminal building.

·        Phase II (2030–2050): Addition of a second runway and terminal to handle 30 million passengers annually.

·        Phase III (Post-2050): Expansion to accommodate up to 50 million passengers per year.

Several world-renowned companies contributed to the project, including:

·        Foster + Partners (UK) – Passenger Terminal Architect

·        NACO (Netherlands) – Master Planner

·        ATKINS (Canada) – Technical Advisor

·        Heerim Architects & Planners (South Korea) – Project Management Consultant

·        Changi Airport Group (Singapore) – Business and ORAT Consultant

·        RLB (UK) – Quantity Surveyor

·        China State Construction Third Engineering Bureau Co., Ltd. (China) – Passenger Terminal Contractor

H.E. Dr. Mao Havannall, Minister in charge of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, stated that the airport will serve as a unifying bridge and a strong catalyst for Cambodia’s tourism, logistics, investment, and overall economic growth.

According to CAIC and Société Concessionnaire de l’Aéroport (SCA), a subsidiary of VINCI Airports and operator of KTI, the goal is to increase passenger traffic from 5.3 million in 2025 to 10 million by 2030 by attracting new airlines and enhancing operational capacity.

Since its official operational launch on 9 September 2025, Techo International Airport has handled an average of 130 flights per day, 150,000 passengers daily, and is now served by 29 airlines (25 international and 4 domestic).

Techo International Airport stands as another monumental achievement in Cambodia’s aviation infrastructure—symbolizing national progress, peace, and prosperity, and reflecting the Kingdom’s vision toward a sustainable and connected future.