Confirmed: Techo International Airport to Open in September
Cambodia's much-anticipated Techo International Airport will officially open its doors to the public on September 9, 2025. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Hun Manet, who confirmed the new date in a recent directive.
The $1.5 billion project, a significant boost to Cambodia's air connectivity, is a public-private partnership. 90% of the investment comes from the private company OCIC, while the remaining 10% is provided by the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA).
Construction of the airport, located on 2,600 hectares of undeveloped land in Kandal province, began in January 2020. The airport, a "Greenfield" airport, is designed to accommodate large aircraft such as the Airbus A380-800 and Boeing 747-800.
In Phase 1 (2020-2030), the airport will have a capacity of 15 million passengers per year, growing to 30 million in Phase 2 (2030-2050), and reaching 45 million in Phase 3 (after 2050).
Prime Minister Hun Manet also addressed rumours about the sale of Pochentong Airport, stating that neither he nor former Prime Minister Hun Sen has approved any such sale. After the commencement of operations at Techo International Airport, all operations at Phnom Penh International Airport (Pochentong) will cease.
The old airport will not be sold to the private sector. Instead, the land will be handed over to the SSCA for management and preservation after operations end.
The airport's readiness was tested through final test flights on August 15, involving a full passenger Airbus A320 flight between the old Phnom Penh airport and Techo International Airport. These tests went smoothly, indicating the airport's readiness to operate but suggesting thorough procedural checks were necessary.
A phased approach to the airport's opening has been planned, with an official inauguration ceremony scheduled for October 20, 2025, after the start of operations on September 9. The exact reasons for the postponement from the initially proposed June date to September 9 are not given, but it is typical for complex projects like new international airports to revise opening dates based on the readiness of construction, testing, certification processes, and operational preparedness.
The new airport, Techo International Airport, is set to significantly enhance Cambodia's air connectivity and will serve as a historical site, used sustainably and for the public benefit as state property.
Air Cambodia, the national carrier, will welcome a new ATR 72-600 aircraft on May 26, manufactured in France. The 80th Anniversary Celebration of Cambodia's National Police was held on May 16.
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- The opening of Techo International Airport in September 2025 is expected to positively impact various sectors of Cambodia, potentially boosting international tourism, business, and political relations.
- The sustainability of Techo International Airport, designed as a "Greenfield" airport, aligns with global strategies for reducing carbon footprints in aviation, a significant aspect in the field of sports, where sustainability is increasingly important.
- The ongoing development in Cambodia's air connectivity, with the opening of Techo International Airport, may influence health policies through increased accessibility to international healthcare services and medical tourism.
