Cambodia is set to mark a significant milestone in its aviation sector with the launch of Techo International Airport (TIA) in July 2025.
Designed as both a major passenger gateway and a strategic cargo hub, the airport is poised to enhance the country’s connectivity and economic growth.
Located about 20 kilometers south of Phnom Penh in Kandal and Takeo provinces, the 2,600-hectare facility — developed through a $1.5 billion investment — aims to position Cambodia as a key logistics and aviation hub in Southeast Asia.
Photography by Apdoul Rashim Yousos
The new facility is a joint initiative between the Cambodia Airport Investment Corporation (CAIC) and the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC).
“Techo International Airport will be classified as a Category 4F airport, capable of accommodating the largest commercial aircraft in the world, including the Boeing 747-800 and Airbus A380-800,” said Charles Vann, director of Cambodia Airport Investment Corporation (CAIC).
This makes it a crucial infrastructure development, positioning Cambodia as a competitive player in the regional and global aviation sectors.
Photography by Apdoul Rashim Yousos
One of the most exciting features of (TIA) is its role in boosting Cambodia’s connectivity to the rest of the world.
Vann said the airport will initially serve as a major passenger hub, supporting millions of visitors traveling to and from Cambodia.
Additionally, plans to develop the airport into a cargo hub align with the government’s long-term objectives of making Cambodia a key logistics hub in Southeast Asia.
Photography by Apdoul Rashim Yousos
Vann said that the airport will become a passenger hub and will be upgraded to a cargo hub.
“For this passenger hub plan will service both visitors and travellers flying to other countries,” he explained.
“The development of the airport as a cargo hub is also within the government’s objectives,” he added.
The airport’s construction is divided into three phases. The first phase, which includes a four-kilometre runway, will have the capacity to serve over 15 million passengers annually.
Photography by Apdoul Rashim Yousos
In the second phase, the addition of a second runway will increase passenger capacity to 30 million by 2030.
For the third phase, the airport will expand further with the introduction of a third runway, enabling it to manage up to 45 million passengers annually in 2050.
“According to the Civil Aviation Authority, Techo International Airport will be the ninth-largest 4F airport in the world once it is completed,” said Vann.
In the context of airport classifications, the “4F” category refers to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) airport code classification. Airports are categorised based on their size, facilities, and the types of aircraft they can accommodate.
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The “4” refers to the runway length (over 3,200 meters), and “F” indicates the highest level of aircraft that can be accommodated, based on wingspan, length, and overall size.
These airports are designed to handle significant international air traffic and provide high-level services and infrastructure, such as long runways, multiple terminals and the ability to support large aircraft movements.
Some examples of airports that fall into the 4F category include major international hubs like: London Heathrow Airport (LHR), Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Photography by Apdoul Rashim Yousos
(TIA) isn’t just an aviation hub; it’s also designed to celebrate Cambodia’s cultural heritage.
The airport will feature a large Buddha statue, alongside approximately 200 sculptures from different centuries, representing Cambodia’s rich history and civilization.
This dedication to culture is not only a testament to the nation’s spiritual roots but also a unique feature that sets the airport apart from others worldwide.
Vann highlighted the importance of the airport’s cultural elements during a recent presentation to a group of 98 journalists from 59 media outlets.
Photography by Apdoul Rashim Yousos
The plans include positioning the Buddha statue at a prime location within the airport, further solidifying the integration of Cambodia’s spiritual and cultural identity into the airport’s design.
“On Sunday, we invited Samdech Preah Sangkhareach Am Limheng to come and inspect the location and advise us on where we should place the Buddha statue, as well as what size it should be,” explained Vann.
Not long ago, Venerable Kou Sopheap took to social media, calling for Senate President Hun Sen to install a large Buddha statue in the airport hall!
The architecture of the airport is also a blend of modern and traditional Khmer design.
Vann noted that the entire structure is designed to reflect the country’s heritage, with features like wide, pillarless spaces and the use of palm trees to represent the Khmer nation.
He explained that from start to finish, the airport, which features a runway twice as long as Phnom Penh International Airport — extending 4 kilometres — embodies a pure Khmer architectural style, complemented by a cultural village.
Photography by Apdoul Rashim Yousos
“This airport has few pillars and has a high ceiling. When you enter, you are greeted by a large, comfortable space,” he said.
“The design prioritises hospitality to attract guests. Dubai is a country with only deserts, yet it is highly attractive. This is due to British architects with exceptional design skills,” he added.
In addition to its Khmer architectural influence, the new airport complex is adorned with palm trees — symbolising the Khmer nation — along with millions of plants, transforming the arid landscape into a natural sanctuary.
The overall goal is to create a welcoming, hospitable environment for travellers, with an emphasis on comfort and aesthetic appeal.
Currently, around 15,400 staff, including workers, engineers and managers, are employed at the construction site, over 90 per cent of them Cambodian nationals.
In addition to its cultural significance, the airport incorporates innovative environmental and technological solutions.
The airport is being constructed with sustainability in mind, utilising solar energy to power its operations.
This move is expected to reduce electricity consumption by up to 20 per cent, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change.
As Vann mentioned, once completed, the airport will be the ninth-largest 4F airport in the world, placing Cambodia among an elite group of nations with the infrastructure to support large international flights and high passenger volume.
The focus on green technologies will further cement the airport’s status as a modern, environmentally conscious facility.
Techo International Airport is also poised to contribute to the growth of Cambodia’s aviation industry by fostering local talent.
A recent memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Cambodia Airport Investment Corporation and Cam Tech University in Chroy Changvar marks a milestone in the development of Cambodia’s aviation workforce.
This collaboration will offer aircraft maintenance training for the first time in Cambodia, with the aim of building a skilled workforce capable of supporting the growing aviation sector.
“In terms of training, CamTech University in Chroy Changvar has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with a school in the Philippines to provide training in aircraft maintenance skills,” added Vann.
Regarding transportation costs from the airport to the city, Vann stated that the pricing for the service could not yet be disclosed, as the company reserves the right to determine it.
Photography by Apdoul Rashim Yousos