In this article we discuss the development of airports in Cambodia, including current use and capacity, as well as projects for growth and planned expansions within the aviation sector. For more in-market information from Aquarii, check out our comprehensive sector overviews here or get in touch with our team today.
How developed are airports in Cambodia and the country’s aviation sector in general?
Airports in Cambodia are due to drastically increase their capacity over the coming years after receiving a record 11.6 million arrivals in 2019. During the COVID pandemic international arrivals dropped by 92 percent (136,680) in the first half of 2021 this quickly rebounded to 2.28 million in 2022. In 2023, the country received 5.45 million foreign visitors, generating $3.08 billion in revenue and contributing 7.5% to the GDP. Meanwhile in the first quarter of 2024, international tourists increased by 22.5% to 1.58 million compared to the same period in 2023, as reported by the Ministry of Tourism. This growth reflects the expanding capacity and recovery of Cambodia’s airports.
The expected overall increase is not just to pre-pandemic levels, but beyond, which is part of the reason why a number of new airports in Cambodia are in construction, as well as existing Cambodian airports also undergoing capacity increases.
What are the existing international airports in Cambodia?
There are currently three operational international airports in Cambodia, with at least 3 more planned for the immediate future, as well as a number of others slated to be added later. Find the list of current airports in Cambodia with some key statistics below.
1. Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH)
The biggest and busiest of the airports in Cambodia, it has not only had over $12 million in recent refurbishments, but has also had its runways widened to add additional capacity. Although the airport is set to be superseded by the new Techo International Airport (TIA).
Key data:
- Destinations: 36
- Airlines: 35
2. Siem Reap – Angkor International Airport (SAI)
The airport began operations on 16 October 2023, as a replacement for the former Siem Reap International Airport (REP), which had struggled with growing traffic volumes, raising concerns about potential damage to the Angkor Wat Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As the current largest Cambodia’s airport, SAI spans 700 hectares with a 3,600-meter runway and has the capacity to handle up to 65,800 flights and 7 million passengers annually. Since launching its commercial operations, SAI has successfully managed 10,971 flights and welcomed approximately 1.02 million passengers from November 2023 to June 2024. The airport currently offers flights to and from 15 cities in 8 countries.
Key data:
- Destination: 15
- Airlines: 12
3. Sihanoukville International Airport (KOS)
Renovated in 2018 to increase capacity, this airport is currently the third most important of the airports in Cambodia, with the nearby Koh Kong projects also being able to service the city. This airport is most popular among Chinese carriers.
Key Data:
- Destinations: 11
- Airlines: 10
Which new airports in Cambodia are under construction or being expanded?
The Royal Government of Cambodia (REC) is developing a number of new airports in Cambodia, as well as expansion projects on existing sites.
- Techo International Airport (TIA): a significant greenfield project by the Cambodia Airport Investment Company (CAIC), is under construction in the capital city of Phnom Penh. The airport will replace the existing Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) for commercial flights while the old airport will continue to be used for domestic flights and as a military airbase.
The airport is expected for construction completion in October 2024 and operation expected to commence by mid-2025. Upon completion, TIA is poised to become the 9th largest airport globally, featuring a 4F-level classification, the highest level in the world. Spanning over 2,600 hectares and will include a passenger terminal spanning an area of more than 240,000m².
The development is divided into three phases:
- Phase 1 (2020–2030): Capacity to handle 13 million passengers annually.
- Phase 2 (2030–2050): Expansion to accommodate 30 million passengers.
- Phase 3 (2050 onwards): Final capacity to reach 50 million passengers.
Additionally, CAIC has signed a 12-year contract with Lagardère Travel Retail SAS and the local HSC Group to manage retail operations at TIA. This agreement will introduce 34 outlets, featuring duty-free shops, dining concepts, and travel accessory stores, enhancing the travel experience through advanced technology, product innovation, and brand development. (source) (source)
- Sihanoukville International Airport (KOS): The existing international airport in Preah Sihanouk province is being expanded by the Cambodia Airports (CA) under the Vinci Group, the current 35-year concession owner and operator of the KOS. Upon its expected completion by 2025, the airport’s capacity will be increased to 7 million passengers per year.
- Dara Sakor International Airport (DSY): Located in the Botum Sakor district of Koh Kong province, is set to commence domestic flights by late August 2024. The airport is nearly complete and technically prepared to begin the first phase of operations, catering to 2B aircraft charter flights, which include light aircraft weighing up to 5,700 kg. Developed by the Chinese firm Tianjin Union Development Group (UDG) at a cost of $350 million, the airport will accommodate long-haul aircraft such as the Boeing 777 and Airbus A340 once fully operational. (source)
What do developments regarding airports in Cambodia mean for business and investment?
The development of Cambodia’s aviation sector will vastly improve domestic connectivity and international connections, which presents exciting opportunities for businesses and investors interested in the country. These opportunities include:
- Increased tourism: The development of new airports and expansions on existing ones will make it easier for tourists to travel to Cambodia. This will lead to increased tourism revenue for the country.
- Increased trade: The development of Cambodia’s aviation sector will make it easier for businesses to trade with other countries. This will lead to increased trade revenue for the country.
- Increased investment: The development of Cambodia’s aviation sector will attract investment from businesses and investors interested in the country. This investment will help to boost Cambodia’s economy.
Overall, the development of Cambodia’s aviation sector is a positive development for the country. It will lead to increased tourism, trade, and investment, which will help to boost Cambodia’s economy, while helping further connect the Kingdom with international destinations.
What opportunities are there for international aviation companies for airports in Cambodia?
The Cambodia Airport Investment Co., Ltd. (CAIC) has not yet announce the management team for Techo International Airport (TIA) in southern Phnom Penh. According to the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC), TIA will replace the existing Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) for commercial flights while the PNH airport will continue to be used for domestic flights and military airbase.
In May 2023, CAIC signed a joint venture agreement with SIA Engineering (SIAEC) to establish a line maintenance joint venture at TIA. As per the agreement, SIAEC will possess a 51% equity stake, while CAIC will acquire the remaining 49%. SIAEC also anticipates the joint venture to progressively “evolve into a regional aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) hub.” One notable value-add between CAIC’s JV partnership with one of the world’s leading industry service providers in aircraft maintenance is the transfer of technical competencies and the alignment of work practices with SIAEC, both of which are crucial for the long-term success of TIA’s operations and the creation of more high-value job opportunities for the Cambodian workforce. (source)
Following this latest development, it could make immense commercial sense, as well as in the areas of human capital development and knowledge transfer, if TIA were to eventually be managed by an airport operator of international repute and track record whose longer-term goals are similar to that envisaged in the CAIC-SIAEC JV partnership – i.e. to train up and hand over airport operations to a local team within the next 10 years or so, instead of reliance on yet another long-term concession arrangement.
This could open doors to numerous downstream opportunities for a competitive bidding process to bring in the best-in-class contractors, service providers and other experts in the aviation, engineering, construction and service sectors, among others, to provide fit-for-purpose solutions and ideas. This diversity could in turn elicit greater confidence and buy-in from international investors and funds in the national project and endeavor to develop TIA into a world-class aviation hub in the longer-term.
Who administers airports in Cambodia?
Airports in Cambodia fall under the remit of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA). The current Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) and the Sihanoukville International Airport (KOS) are currently owned and operated by Cambodia Airports (CA) under concession agreements of various long-term tenure. Meanwhile, Siem Reap – Angkor International Airport (SAI) owned and operated by Yunnan Aviation Industry Investment Group. Dara Sakor International Airport (DSY), which is set to begin domestic operations in late August 2024, is owned and operated by Tianjin Union Development Group (UDG). In contrast, Techo International Airport (TIA) is managed by Cambodia Airport Investment Co., Ltd. (CAIC), a joint venture between the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC) and the SSCA.
What are the domestic airports in Cambodia?
These domestic airports are public use and also used by the quickly expanding private flight market, both as destinations and hangers:
- Battambang Airport (BBM)
- Kampot Airport (KMT)
- Koh Kong Airport (KKZ)
- Kompong Cham Airport (KCA)
- Kompong Thom Airport (KZK)
- Kampong Chhnang Airport (KZC)
- Krakor Airport (KZD)
- Kratié Airport (KTI)
- Mondulkiri Airport (MWV)
- Pailin Airport (PAI)
- Poipet Airport (HPP)
- Ratanakiri Airport (RBE)
- Stung Treng Airport (TNX)
- Svay Rieng Airport (SVR)
- Thbeng Meanchey Airport or Preah Vihear Airport (OMY)