Prime Minister Hun Manet hails the progress of Phnom Penh’s new international airport, describing it as a symbol of Cambodia’s rapid development, and how a war-torn country became a peaceful one. 

“This facility is a source of pride for the nation. Cambodia has set the goal of attracting millions of visitors, who will support many regional industries in the future,” said Manet.

The remarks came as he visited the Techo International Airport (TIA), located in Kandal province’s Khsach Kandal district, around 30km south of Phnom Penh.

The first phase of the construction of the TIA is over 66 per cent complete and is expected to be operational next year. 

“I was feeling excited as soon as my car passed through the entrance,” said the premier.

“Even though it is not yet complete, I must share my emotions. They are similar to the goosebumps I felt during the launch of the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport [SAI]. I have travelled to many countries and admired large airports in several of them, but the pride and joy I feel stem from the fact that this airport is in Cambodia, and belongs to us,” he added.

The development of TIA is divided into three stages. It will be able to handle 13 million passengers once the first phase is complete; 30 million after the second; and as many as 50 million after the third.

The prime minister explained that the new “state-of-the-art” facility will draw new guests to Phnom Penh in particular, and to the Kingdom in general. In addition, TIA will attract investors, benefitting the people economically.

“Once operational next year, it will be the largest airport in the Kingdom. Local residents are not only witnessing history, but are playing a part in a new historic achievement,” he said.

He added that the TIA will not only bring investment, but has the potential to create many jobs for Cambodians.

“To put it plainly, TIA is not just a symbol of the growth and the progress of the nation and a source of pride, but a driving force for our economy. In addition, our engineers have been given the chance to increase their capacities, raising the possibility that we will build similar large projects on our own in the future,” he continued.

Manet also addressed critics of the government, who accused it of talking up its accomplishments unnecessarily.

“I am willing to accept that I am bragging about TIA, because the Kingdom has never had a 4F airport before. The more we do, the more our people receive. I dare to boast because this facility is on Cambodian soil, and belongs to the Khmer people,” he said.

The airport is slated to be classified as Class 4F, meaning it can accommodate the largest passenger and cargo aircraft, with runways over 3,000m in length and advanced navigational and safety facilities.

Mao Ha Vannal, chief of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), said during the visit that as of February 21, the first phase of construction of the airport is over 66 per cent complete, at a cost of $961 million of the projected investment of $1.5 billion. 

“According to our plans, and the current amount of work we have completed, the first phase of the airport will be operational in the first half of 2025,” he added. 

In order to avoid creating man-made obstacles and to guarantee safety and security in the area surrounding TIA, he requested that relevant state institutions and local administrations consult with the SSCA before granting licences or permits for new construction around the airport.

He also encouraged investors, especially commercial banks, to support the construction of the project by purchasing bonds when Cambodia Airport Investment Co Ltd (CAIC) – a joint venture between the privately-owned Overseas Cambodian Investment Corp (OCIC) and the SSCA – publishes them in the near future.

The airport was first announced by then-Prime Minister Hun Sen and former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang during the latter’s state visit in January 2018.