Cambodia has officially opened its $2 billion Techo International Airport, built with Chinese investment, marking a significant milestone in the country’s infrastructure development. The airport, located 20 kilometers south of Phnom Penh, aims to revitalize Cambodia’s tourism sector, which has struggled to recover after the Covid-19 pandemic. The opening ceremony featured a water cannon display for the first arriving flight from China, followed by traditional Khmer dancers welcoming passengers.
The Techo International Airport spans 2,600 hectares and is a major upgrade from Phnom Penh’s old airport, which had been in operation since 1959. Designed by British architects Foster and Partners, the airport features modern amenities, including golden Buddhist statues and tall trees under a striking steel grid-shell roof. The new airport is expected to handle up to 13 million passengers annually, with projections to reach 50 million by 2050, supporting Cambodia’s growing aviation needs.
Despite the excitement surrounding the opening, the construction of the airport has been mired in controversy. Land evictions have affected thousands of households, with the NGO Sahmakum Teang Tnaut estimating that around 2,000 families have been displaced to make way for the airport. The Cambodian civil aviation authority has not confirmed the exact number of affected residents but assured that most disputes have been resolved. However, for many, the airport marks the culmination of years of struggle over land rights and livelihood.
The Techo International Airport is the second major Chinese-funded airport to open in Cambodia in recent years, following the completion of a $1.1 billion terminal near the Angkor Wat temple complex in 2023. These developments come at a time when Cambodia’s tourism industry is still recovering from the pandemic. In 2024, Cambodia welcomed 6.7 million international visitors, generating approximately $3.6 billion in revenue, far from pre-pandemic levels.
The opening of the airport is seen as a critical step in boosting Cambodia’s tourism, offering better capacity to accommodate international flights. With tourism accounting for a significant portion of the country’s economy, officials are hopeful that the new airport will attract more visitors and foster economic growth. However, balancing development with the rights of affected communities remains an ongoing challenge for the Cambodian government.
Techo International Airport’s debut marks a new chapter for Cambodia, yet it also highlights the complexities of large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly when they involve significant human and environmental costs. While the project is a milestone in terms of economic development, its long-term impact on the affected communities and the country’s social fabric remains to be seen.