Sihanoukville International Airport is set to see higher passenger arrivals, thanks to the refurbishment of its passenger terminal, Cambodia Airports announced.

In a press release on Wednesday, the operator of the Kingdom’s three airports said the refurbishment is in preparation for an increasing number of passenger flights arriving at the coastal destination.

Nicolas Notebaert, president of VINCI Airports, Cambodia Airports’ parent company, said the extension and renovation of the terminal is part of an ambitious development program to anticipate the growth of passenger traffic over the next five years.

“We are taking a new step in our journey to develop Sihanoukville’s airport so that it contributes to unlocking the economic, touristic and social growth potential of the Kingdom’s entire seaside,” he said at the launch.

The beach town’s airport welcomed 338,000 passengers last year, a sharp growth of 115 percent compared to 2016.

The renovation makes the airport 80 percent larger – now totalling 4,800 square metres.

More check-in areas, boarding lounges and baggage claim zones have been added in addition to equipment comprising a new baggage handling system.

Cambodia Airports also said a project would soon be launched to extend its single runway by 800 metres. After completion, the 3.3km strip will accommodate larger aircraft from more distant markets in Asia.