Cambodia Opens New Techo International Airport Near Phnom Penh

Cambodia officially opened the Techo International Airport this week, marking a major milestone for the country’s aviation and tourism sector. The long-anticipated $2 billion facility, located around 20 kilometres from Phnom Penh, welcomed its first commercial flight with a ceremonial water salute and widespread celebration.

Replacing the nearly 70-year-old Phnom Penh International Airport, the new hub brings a dramatic upgrade. With three runways compared to the old airport’s single strip, Techo International has the capacity to handle 13 million passengers initially, with plans to expand to 30 million by 2030 and as many as 50 million by 2050. By contrast, the old airport served 4.75 million travellers in 2024.

Designed by the British architectural firm Foster + Partners and built by the China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Group, the airport represents a joint venture between the Cambodian government and the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation.

The airport’s name, “Techo,” meaning “powerful” in Khmer, is an honorific bestowed on senior military commanders, including former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who hailed the opening as a “major step for Cambodia’s aviation and economy.”

Although the new facility will now serve as the capital’s primary gateway, officials confirmed that Phnom Penh’s old airport will remain operational for military use and as a backup in emergencies.

With its scale and modern design, Techo International Airport is expected to enhance Cambodia’s global connectivity and strengthen its tourism-driven economy in the years ahead.