Cambodia Opens New , China-Funded Airport , to Boost Angkor Wat Tourism.
On October 16, Cambodia launched
commercial operations at the
country's newest and largest airport. .
'The Independent' reports that the Siem Reap-Angkor
International Airport is meant to serve as a gateway
to the centuries-old Angkor Wat temple complex.
The first flight to land at the new
airport was a Bangkok Airways
flight inbound from Thailand. .
16 additional flights were scheduled for
the airport's first official day in operation. .
'The Independent' reports that the new airport, which
cost about $1.1 billion, is built on 700 hectares of land
approximately 25 miles east of the Angkor Wat complex.
'The Independent' reports that the new airport, which
cost about $1.1 billion, is built on 700 hectares of land
approximately 25 miles east of the Angkor Wat complex.
Construction on the airport started in 2020 to replace
the old airport due to concerns that the vibrations were damaging Angkor Wat's foundations.
The new airport is designed to handle an estimated
7 million passengers a year, with plans to boost
that capacity up to 12 million passengers by 2040.
The new airport is designed to handle an estimated
7 million passengers a year, with plans to boost
that capacity up to 12 million passengers by 2040.
The project was part of
a 55-year-build-operate-transfer (BOT)
program between China and Cambodia.
'The Independent' reports that another Chinese-funded
airport is also being developed to serve the capital
Phnom Penh at an estimated cost of $1.5 billion.
The Techo International Airport, which is being
developed on 2,600 hectares (6,425 acres),
is scheduled to be completed in 2024