China Sky Railway Group, a privately owned Chinese company that produces light rail trains, has announced plans to operate a 10-kilometre rail link between Phnom Penh’s Royal Palace and international airport by May of next year, according to a report yesterday in the China Daily newspaper.

The unmanned train system is expected to carry a maximum of 144 passengers and will serve to ease congestion for the 2023 Southeast Asia Games, company Chairman Tang Tong was quoted as saying.

China Sky Railway representatives met Ministry of Public Works and Transport officials in July to discuss a feasibility study for a proposed Skytrain line in the capital.