In nearly one year since its opening on October 16, 2023, Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) has handled 1,300,048 passengers and facilitated 14,556 flights, according to the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA).

The SSCA also reported that, as of September 30, more than 82 tonnes of cargo had been transported through the airport. By the end of 2024, the number of travellers is expected to reach 1.5 million.

In the first nine months of 2024, SAI recorded 10,989 flights, marking a 24 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. During this time, over 970,000 passengers passed through the airport, reflecting a 31 per cent rise.

Minister in Charge of the SSCA, Mao Havannall, and Chinese ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin attended the airport’s one-year anniversary celebration today.

Havannall, quoted by the SSCA, noted that the airport is a significant achievement under the "Belt and Road Initiative" or BRI.  He emphasised its role in restoring and developing the country’s airport infrastructure, promoting economic growth and boosting civil aviation, tourism, sustainable investments and financial stability.

“SAI continues to strive for enhancement and expansion to seize both national and international market opportunities, especially in preparing for new challenges posed by external and internal factors,” he said.

“We should position Cambodia as not only an attractive destination for visits, but also as a hub for business growth, meetings and major events,” he added.

Yunnan Air Investment (Cambodia) Airport Management Co, which operates the airport, stated that it currently receives an average of 40 flights per day, accommodating around 3,620 passengers. The airport operates flights to eight countries, serving 15 cities.

SAI was constructed at a cost of $1.1 billion under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) model.