On September 9, 2025, Cambodia marked a historic milestone with the grand opening of Techo International Airport, a sprawling new aviation hub located about 20 kilometers south of Phnom Penh. The $2 billion facility—one of the largest airports in the world by land area—was unveiled with considerable fanfare, as dignitaries, travelers, and business leaders gathered to witness the arrival of its inaugural commercial flight. Fire trucks crisscrossed streams of water over the Air Cambodia plane from China as it taxied to the terminal, a traditional water salute befitting the scale of the occasion, according to the Associated Press.
The new airport replaces the nearly 70-year-old Phnom Penh International Airport, which had only a single runway and was straining to meet the demands of Cambodia’s rapidly growing tourism and business sectors. In 2024, the old airport handled 4.75 million passengers—a figure dwarfed by the new facility’s initial capacity of 13 million travelers annually. Planners anticipate that Techo International Airport will expand to accommodate 30 million passengers after 2030 and up to a staggering 50 million by 2050, setting the stage for Cambodia to become a major player in Southeast Asian aviation.
The journey to opening day was not without its hiccups. The airport’s debut had originally been scheduled for July 2025, but a technical issue forced a delay. By the time the doors opened in September, the project’s cost had climbed from an initial $1.5 billion to $2 billion, as confirmed by Sinn Chanserey Vutha, spokesperson for Cambodia’s civil aviation authority in multiple AP reports.
The Techo International Airport project is a joint venture between the Cambodian government and the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC), operating under the Cambodia Airport Investment Company (CAIC). This partnership underscores Cambodia’s commitment to leveraging both public and private expertise to modernize its infrastructure. OCIC, celebrating its 25th anniversary alongside the airport’s launch, is one of the country’s largest business conglomerates, with investments spanning real estate, education, healthcare, and more. The State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), representing the government, also holds a significant stake in the project.
Designed by the renowned UK-based architectural firm Foster + Partners, the airport’s terminal is a striking blend of modern engineering and Khmer heritage. Its bamboo-patterned domes evoke traditional Cambodian aesthetics, while a nine-meter Buddha statue in the Abhayamudra pose stands at the heart of the terminal, symbolizing peace and protection for all travelers. The construction was carried out by the China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Group Co. Ltd., further highlighting the international collaboration behind the project.
Operational excellence is a key focus at Techo International Airport. To ensure world-class standards, CAIC has appointed several international partners: Vinci Airports manages overall operations, Lagardère Travel Retail oversees retail offerings, Newrest handles catering, and Singapore Airlines Engineering Company (SIAEC) is charged with aircraft maintenance. These partnerships aim to position Phnom Penh as an emerging aviation hub, capable of attracting new long-haul routes and connecting Cambodia more directly to the global economy.
Pung Kheav Se, Chairman of both OCIC and CAIC, expressed the significance of the moment: “Welcoming the first passengers at Techo International Airport is a defining moment. It creates new opportunities for Cambodia—for visitors, businesses, and investors—and marks the beginning of a new chapter for our country.” His optimism is shared by international travelers like Briton David Weare, who told the Associated Press, “It’s a great honor to be one of the first passengers to use the airport and it looks absolutely amazing. I can’t wait to get through and see the rest of it.”
The timing of the airport’s opening couldn’t be better for Cambodia’s tourism industry. In 2024, the country welcomed 6.7 million international tourists—a 23% jump from the previous year—thanks in part to the appeal of world-famous sites like the Angkor Wat temple complex. The opening of Techo International Airport comes on the heels of the 2023 inauguration of Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport, which was financed by China and serves the country’s top tourist destination. In contrast, the new Phnom Penh facility is a homegrown joint venture, reflecting a diversification of Cambodia’s investment partners.
Yet, the path forward is not without challenges. Tensions with neighboring Thailand have cast a shadow over Cambodia’s ambitions to become a tourism powerhouse. Armed border clashes earlier in 2025 resulted in at least 41 deaths among soldiers and civilians before a fragile truce was reached on July 28, as reported by the Associated Press. Such instability could complicate efforts to attract more international visitors, though officials remain hopeful that improved infrastructure and connectivity will ultimately prevail.
The airport’s name, “Techo,” means “powerful” in Khmer and is an honorific reserved for top army commanders, including former Prime Minister Hun Sen. Hun Sen, who stepped down in 2023 after decades in power, was quick to hail the project’s significance on social media, saying, “The opening is a major step for Cambodia’s aviation and economy.” His son and successor, Prime Minister Hun Manet, has pledged that the old Phnom Penh airport will not be shuttered entirely. Instead, it will be maintained for military use and kept available for emergencies—a nod to both national security and prudent resource management.
Behind the scenes, the airport’s development also serves as a testament to OCIC’s broader impact on Cambodia’s infrastructure. Over the past two decades, the group has built more than 10,000 homes and delivered key projects such as bridges, roads, and flyovers. With over 17,500 employees nationwide, OCIC’s role in the country’s economic growth is hard to overstate.
As Cambodia positions itself as a new gateway to Southeast Asia, the opening of Techo International Airport is a bold statement of intent. It signals the country’s readiness to welcome the world, expand its economic horizons, and embrace a future where connectivity, commerce, and culture intersect on a truly global stage.
The first day at Techo International Airport was more than just a ribbon-cutting—it was a leap into a new era for Cambodia, one that promises opportunity, ambition, and a fresh sense of national pride for years to come.