Australian Ambassador to Cambodia Derek Yip and Philippine Ambassador Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo visited the under-construction Techo International Airport (TIA), located south of Phnom Penh, on Friday as the first phase of the project reaches 94 percent completion.
The visit provided the diplomats with an opportunity to witness the progress of the ambitious infrastructure project, which is set to redefine Cambodia’s aviation sector upon completion.
Welcoming the delegation, Lim Lina, Vice Chairlady of Canadia Group, and Oknha Charles Vann, Director of Canadia Group, apprised the ambassadors about the airport’s design and construction progress through a detailed presentation featuring a physical model and a short video showcasing key milestones achieved thus far.
Lina explained that TIA is a greenfield airport project with a total land area of 2,600 hectares, located 19 kilometres from Phnom Penh. It is classified as a 4F airport and will be developed in three phases. The investment budget for phase one is $1.5 billion, excluding airport land.
“At the height of the construction, we had about 17,000 staff and workers working on this project, and the construction is about 94% completed, with a total investment to date of 1.4 billion, of which 387.5 million was through the issuance of airport bonds to local financial institutions, corporates and individuals,” she said.
The TIA project is fully developed and financed locally by the Cambodia Airport Investment Co. (CAIC), a joint venture between Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC) and the Royal Government of Cambodia, represented by the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA).
TIA is designed by a UK-based star architect firm, Foster + Partners, which has integrated green infrastructure into its design as CAIC attempts to reduce carbon emissions, she added.
Following the briefing, the ambassadors toured the terminal and pier before participating in a group photo session. The visit concluded with an inspection of the Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT), a critical component of the airport’s operational infrastructure.
The TIA is set to officially open in July this year by Prime Minister Hun Manet.
Speaking after the visit, Oknha Charles Vann highlighted the project’s significance, stating that the construction team is working diligently to finalise the remaining tasks to ensure the airport is ready for operation as scheduled in July.
He disclosed that the Philippine Embassy, through Philippine Airlines, plans to collaborate with Cambodia to establish an aircraft repair training school at CamTech University.
Techo International Airport, a landmark development for Cambodia’s aviation industry, has been recognised as one of the 11 architecture projects poised to shape the world in 2025.
The airport is expected to enhance connectivity, bolster economic growth, and support the country’s expanding tourism and business sectors. Once completed, it will replace Phnom Penh International Airport as the capital’s primary air hub, significantly increasing passenger capacity and accommodating larger aircraft.
