The initial phase of the Techo International Airport, sprawling across Kandal and Takeo provinces, is on track for completion in October of this year. The grand opening of the airport is anticipated for the middle of 2025, according to informed sources.
Recent updates from the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation reveal that as of February 27, the first phase of construction has achieved 66.1 percent completion. Detailed breakdowns indicate the terminal structures are 58.6 percent complete, power supply facilities are at 76.8 percent, airfield-related constructions stand at 64.4 percent, and the air traffic control tower has been fully constructed.
The Techo International Airport project is overseen by Cambodia Airport Investment Co., Ltd., a collaborative endeavor involving the Overseas Cambodia Investment Corporation (OCIC), which holds a 90 percent share, and the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, holding the remaining 10 percent. The project’s total construction costs have amounted to $961 million.
Sin Chansereyvutha, the under-secretary of state and spokesperson for SSCA, confirmed the construction is progressing as per schedule. He stated, “The completion of the first phase is expected by the end of 2024, with the airport slated to commence commercial operations by mid-2025.”
Spanning 2,600 hectares, the Techo International Airport is envisioned to unfold in three construction phases: Phase 1 from 2020 to 2030, Phase 2 from 2030 to 2050, and Phase 3 extending from 2050 onwards. In its first operational phase, the airport is designed to accommodate up to 13 million passengers annually and manage 175,000 tonnes of cargo.
Upon its inauguration, the Techo International Airport is set to succeed the Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH), which has been operational since 1995 under a 45-year concession agreement set to conclude in 2040.
Discussions are ongoing with Cambodia Airports, which currently manages PNH and the Sihanoukville International Airport (KOS), as stated by Chansereyvutha. He noted, “Given the shifts in ownership and management of international airport infrastructure, the outcome of negotiations with Cambodia Airports remains uncertain and not yet conclusively aligned with the overarching win-win policy.”
Prime Minister Hun Manet is scheduled to lead a delegation of high-ranking officials to inspect the construction progress at the airport on March 12.
