Cambodia has unveiled a bold new symbol of its economic ambitions and global aspirations, the Techo International Airport (TIA). The airport is located roughly 20 km south of Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. This expansive, high-tech aviation hub has replaced the former Phnom Penh International Airport, which ceased commercial operations upon TIA’s official opening on September 9, 2025. The airport was formally inaugurated on October 20, 2025, marked by the arrival of the first commercial flight operated by Air Cambodia. TIA is more than just a new airport; it represents Cambodia’s vision for the future, one where the country strengthens its position within Southeast Asia’s (SEA) aviation landscape, boosts tourism, expands trade and enhances connectivity with the world.
Integrated and holistic planning
TIA is one of the largest greenfield airport projects in SEA. Spread across an immense 2,600 hectares in the provinces of Kandal and Takeo, the complex has been designed with long-term growth in mind. From the outset, the planners envisioned an aerocity concept, with ample space for logistics zones, commercial development and future urban expansion.
The airport is classified as a 4F-category airport, meaning it can accommodate the world’s largest long-haul aircraft, including the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8. Its design supports an initial capacity of 15 million passengers per annum (mppa), with a phased development plan that will eventually expand capacity to 50 mppa.
Moreover, the airport has been designed to support a wide range of aviation activities beyond passenger travel. The airport features two 4 km runways, a general aviation terminal, a VVIP terminal, cargo-handling facilities and support infrastructure designed for future expansion. Phase 1 of the project, which began operations in 2025, includes a main terminal with a 32-gate pier, a 4,000 metre long, 75 metre wide runway, two parallel taxiways, and sufficient apron space to handle the airport’s early passenger capacity. This first phase alone required an investment exceeding $2.3 billion, financed through Cambodian financial institutions, including $387.5 million in local airport bonds. Phase 2 will introduce a second pier and an additional runway, lifting capacity to 30 mppa. Phase 3 envisions a third runway and a new terminal, bringing the total capacity to 50 mppa. Beyond the airport boundaries, an additional 5,000 hectares has been designated for a special economic zone, residential and commercial districts, logistics centres and manufacturing facilities.
Catalysing tourism growth
Cambodia’s tourism sector has long lagged behind its neighbours. While Thailand welcomed 35.5 million international visitors in 2024 and Vietnam 17.5 million, Cambodia recorded 6.7 million. It is expected that TIA will be the turning point. It will be a catalyst capable of reshaping visitor flows, travel experiences and global perceptions.
In the third quarter of 2025 alone, Cambodia registered over 1 million international tourist arrivals, with strong indicators of growth ahead. Within TIA’s first month of operation, two new routes were launched, and the airport supported Cathay Pacific by temporarily hosting part of its fleet during Typhoon Ragasa.
With its state-of-the-art facilities and vastly expanded capacity, TIA is positioned to help Cambodia close the tourism gap with its neighbours and attract investment into the country’s still underdeveloped destinations.
Design nuances and partners involved
TIA is built at the intersection of tradition and modernity. Its architectural design draws deeply from Cambodian cultural and Angkorian heritage while embracing a forward-looking aesthetic. Natural light floods the terminal through expansive glass façades, while tropical landscaping softens the space and creates a calming atmosphere. One of the airport’s most striking features is a 9-metre Buddha statue. These elements create a holistic environment intended to welcome travellers.
The terminal itself spans 240,000 square metres and was built by an international team of experts, including 200 Cambodian engineers and more than 17,000 workers. The lead architect, Foster + Partners (United Kingdom), incorporated green infrastructure and sustainability features to reduce carbon emissions. Project consultants included Heerim Architects and Planners (Republic of Korea), while quantity surveying services were provided by RLB Singapore (Rider Levett Bucknall). Commercial planning advisory, pre-operational phase support, aerodrome certification, and operational readiness and airport transfer services were provided by Changi Airports International, Singapore. Major construction work, including the passenger terminal, was carried out by China State Construction Third Engineering Bureau Company Limited (China).
Operations are overseen by Cambodia Airports, a subsidiary of VINCI Airports, the world’s leading private airport operator. VINCI brings decades of expertise, which has helped increase traffic at the Phnom Penh International Airport nearly twenty-fold between 1995 and 2025. Duty-free, retail, and food and beverage services are managed by Lagardère Travel Retail, HSC Group and Newrest, ensuring an international-standard commercial offering. The airport is owned by Cambodia Airport Investment Company Limited, a joint venture between the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation and the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation.
Digital-first passenger experience
One of TIA’s most transformative features is its seamless, fully digital passenger journey. For the first time in Cambodia, travellers can complete every step starting from check-in to boarding using smart and automated systems. Facial recognition scanners, e-gates, self-service kiosks and automated bag-drop stations define the new travel experience.
Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques’s (SITA) next-generation technologies form the backbone of the airport’s operations, integrating systems such as common use terminal equipment that connects 29 airlines, SITA Bag Manager for real-time baggage tracking, the airport management system for data-driven operations and Airport Vision for live updates across terminals. Together, these integrated platforms streamline workflows, reduce delays and ensure seamless collaboration between airlines, ground handlers, and airport teams, while also preparing the airport to scale efficiently as passenger volumes continue to grow.
Strategic futuristic aviation hub
SEA is one of the world’s fastest growing aviation markets, but rapid expansion brings logistical and operational challenges. By adopting smart and scalable systems from the beginning, TIA establishes itself as a resilient infrastructure model for the region. In Q3 2025, TIA processed 309,000 passengers and recorded 2,934 commercial aircraft movements, strong indicators for an airport still in its infancy. With future plans including a rail connection to Phnom Penh’s city centre, TIA is poised to redefine mobility in the region.
The closure of the old Phnom Penh International Airport marks the end of an era, but Techo International Airport ushers in a new chapter. It is more than a massive infrastructure project; it is a powerful emblem of Cambodia’s ambition. It demonstrates the country’s commitment to becoming a competitive aviation hub, attracting tourists, deepening global ties and driving economic transformation.
With its cultural design, digital-first systems and world-class operational standards, TIA stands as a model for next-generation airports in SEA. As the country moves forward, the airport promises to play a central role, connecting Cambodia to the world and welcoming the world to Cambodia.
