Cambodia inaugurated the airport in Phnom Penh on Oct. 20. The opening ceremony took place in a solemn atmosphere as monks chanted blessings to a 9-meter-tall golden Buddha statue at the departure hall, before the first flights landed, CNN reported.
The Cambodian government is banking on its largest aviation project to draw more international tourists and transform the country’s regional tourism image.
"This is a new achievement, reflecting Cambodia's long-term development vision," Prime Minister Hun Manet said at the ceremony to officially open the airport.
Photo by Reuters
Techo International Airport is 30 km from the center of Phnom Penh, considered a strategic step to promote tourism development and investment in the southern region.
Despite its reasonable travel costs and UNESCO-listed temples, Cambodia only welcomes about 2.5 million international visitors per year, much lower than Thailand's 32 million and Vietnam's 18 million.
The airport's opening comes just days after South Korea issued a "code black" warning for parts of Cambodia following the murder of a student who was reportedly kidnapped and tortured by a local crime ring.
International advisories have also highlighted the risk of crime in Phnom Penh and unexploded ordnance in rural areas.
Photo by Archdaily
The airport features a 87,000 square-meter-wide terminal, with a design that captures natural light through large glass panels, light-colored wooden floors, and many tropical green areas.
The airport has a curved dome, inspired by the headgear of traditional Apsara dancers.
Nikolai Malsch, a senior partner at Foster + Partners which designed the airport, said the design emphasizes clear sightlines and minimal confusion. Travelers should never feel trapped in a maze of corridors.
Photo by Archdaily
The government has positioned Techo International as both a modern infrastructure project and a point of national pride.
Alongside facial recognition scanners (pictured) and environmental certification, the airport even has its own theme song — “Power of Techo International Airport” — shared on Prime Minister Hun Manet’s social media accounts.
Photo by Reuters
Travelers wait to collect their luggage at Techno International Airport.
The new airport will offer direct flights to Bangkok, Beijing, Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Turkish Airlines and Etihad are planning to add flights from Istanbul and Abu Dhabi this fall, boosting connectivity to Europe and the Middle East.
Photo by Reuters
