Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Siem Reap’s new airport on target for 2023 opening

Siem Reap’s new airport on target for 2023 opening

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Under construction: Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport viewed from above on July 12. SUPPLIED

Siem Reap’s new airport on target for 2023 opening

Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport developer Angkor International Airport Investment (Cambodia) Co Ltd (AIAI) has affirmed its commitment to push construction of the complex’s initial phase to 50-per-cent completion by September 30 and the 70-per-cent mark by December 31, according to the head of the national flag carrier airline.

“Some facilities, such as the electrical substation, the fuel storage station and air traffic control tower are more than 70 per cent finished,” Cambodia Angkor Air chairman Tekreth Samrach said in a statement on July 12 following a visit to the construction site of the new airport, adding that many stretches of the runway had been merged.

State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) spokesman Sin Chansereyvutha told The Post that construction of the airport had reached 33.85 per cent completion as of June 30, commenting that work had been hampered by the Chinese government’s zero Covid-19 policy.

Although Chansereyvutha believes that construction would hit 50 per cent by September 30 as planned, he acknowledged concerns that progress may be slowed by China’s restrictive measures to contain the novel coronavirus.

These, he said, make travel to and from China difficult, hinder the supply of construction equipment, and drive up shipping costs, which in turn push up prices of certain materials.

The Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport will be built in three phases, on a 700.06ha plot in Sotr Nikum district’s Ta Yek commune east of Siem Reap town, with total capital investment of $880 million, $500 million of which is allotted for Phase I alone.

The airport will reportedly be able to receive about seven million passengers per year initially, 10 million by 2030, and 20 million by 2050. Similarly, annual cargo capacity is also expected to rise from 10,000 tonnes initially to 60,000 tonnes by 2050.

Cambodia Association of Travel Agents adviser Ho Vandy said Siem Reap’s new, larger airport would be “a prestige”, and a boon for “all sectors”, especially tourism.

He argued that airports in general add to the allure of the localities they serve, and that the new project would “further increase the tourism potential” of Siem Reap province.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • After three deferrals, Capital Gains Tax to take effect Jan 1, 2024

    The General Department of Taxation (GDT) will implement the Capital Gains Tax starting January 1, 2024 to after being deferred three times as industrial players warn that the implementation might have some negative impact on the property market growth, which is down due to the economic downturn.