Construction of the new Siem Reap International Airport (SRIA) passenger terminal has been delayed a third time due to a hold-up of design and layout approval, officials say.

Initially slated to commence in 2012, construction of the $1 billion project is now expected to start in August, according to Tek Reth Samrach, chairman of the SRIA steering committee.

The new terminal, which occupies more than 60 kilometres of land between Chi Kraeng and Sotr Nikum districts, is expected to cater to 15 million passengers annually.

Samrach said that after receiving approved designs, construction will be able to commence: “They already cleared the land of trees and obstacles, maybe in August they will start to construct.”

The new terminal is funded through a joint venture between two South Korean companies, Camco Airport Co and Lees A&A.

Samrach did not give a completion date for the new terminal.