A French firm has been chosen to operate Cambodia’s biggest and most ambitious air hub, as Phnom Penh looks to boost its global connectivity and infrastructure ahead of a 2025 launch.

 

Cambodia Airports, a subsidiary of French construction giant VINCI, has been selected to operate Techo International Airport (TIA), located just 20 kilometres south of Phnom Penh. The announcement was made by the Cambodia Airport Investment Company (CAIC) on Thursday.

 

The deal was signed by CAIC chairman Pung Kheav Se and Nicolas Notebaert, president of VINCI Airports, in a move officials say signals a long-term vision for regional growth. “By appointing VINCI to operate key airport services, we reaffirm our commitment to enhancing Cambodia’s infrastructure with projects that meet international standards,” Pung said in a statement.

 

The new airport—set to begin operations on 9 September 2025—will span over 2,600 hectares in Kandal and Takeo provinces. It is rated as a 4F-level facility, the highest classification in global aviation, and will be able to handle up to 13 million passengers annually in its first phase.

 

VINCI, which has operated Phnom Penh International Airport since 1995, brings extensive experience to the table, and its renewed involvement underscores France’s long-standing ties with Cambodia. These links were further reinforced this week when outgoing French Ambassador Jacques Pellet met Senate President Hun Sen, offering French assistance in resolving Cambodia’s ongoing border dispute with Thailand by providing historic maps and documents from the colonial era.

 

During a separate meeting in June, President Emmanuel Macron told Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet that France stands ready to support both countries with relevant archival records if needed.

 

Cambodia was under French rule from 1863 to 1953—a period during which many of its current territorial boundaries were formalised. That colonial legacy continues to influence diplomatic and infrastructure developments today.

 

With the Techo International Airport project well underway and French backing in both technical and diplomatic arenas, Cambodia is positioning itself as a rising hub in Southeast Asia—firmly rooted in modern ambition and historical ties.

 

-2025-07-11

Competition for Suwanapum ...

47 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

Competition for Suwanapum ...

 

Well, let's see if it gets more traffic than Siem Reap's new airport.

45 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

Well, let's see if it gets more traffic than Siem Reap's new airport.

Indeed. The point though is that BKK/Suwannaphum is the SEA base for most tourists from east, west & south (Singapore having outpriced & out-yawned its former status in that role).

 

It will take some time for that to change, but nothing to say it can't over time ... The rest of SEA - notably Malaysia, Indonesia & Vietnam - is leaving Thailand behind in many ways (economic, technological & cultural adaptation ...).

4 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

 

Well, let's see if it gets more traffic than Siem Reap's new airport.

 

Yes indeed.

This new airport is a huge Chinese owned and operated "white elephant" located in the countryside around 40kms from Siem Reap City.

I have used it to fly on several occasions to Thailand (Khon Kaen and Chiang Mai via DMK). Always been quiet which suits me being disabled with no pushing and shoving. Acres of unused outdoor space.

 

Today's full list of departures (12 July 2025) Just 16 flights

 

Saturday, Jul 12
9:30 AM	K6131	Sihanoukville (KOS)	Air Cambodia	AT76 (XU-610)		Departed 9:22 AM
9:40 AM	PG924	Bangkok (BKK)	Bangkok Airways	AT76 (HS-PZJ)		Departed 9:24 AM
10:30 AM	SQ163	Singapore (SIN)	Singapore Airlines	B38M (9V-MBN)		Departed 10:53 AM
11:55 AM	FD611	Bangkok (DMK)	AirAsia	A21N (HS-EAF)		Departed 12:03 PM
12:50 PM	K6840	Da Nang (DAD)	Air Cambodia	AT7		Unknown
1:20 PM	PG906	Bangkok (BKK)	Bangkok Airways (Samui Livery)	A320 (HS-PGW)		Departed 1:23 PM
3:00 PM	K6106	Phnom Penh (PNH)	Air Cambodia	AT7		Scheduled
3:05 PM	KT173	Kuala Lumpur (KUL)	AirAsia Cambodia	320		Scheduled
3:15 PM	FD615	Bangkok (DMK)	AirAsia	A21N (HS-EAF)		Scheduled
6:00 PM	K6824	Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)	Air Cambodia	AT7		Scheduled
6:05 PM	VN836	Hanoi (HAN)	Vietnam Airlines	321		Scheduled
7:05 PM	VJ914	Hanoi (HAN)	VietJet Air	321		Scheduled
7:10 PM	VN812	Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)	Vietnam Airlines	321		Scheduled
7:25 PM	PG908	Bangkok (BKK)	Bangkok Airways	ATR		Scheduled
10:25 PM	K6828	Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)	Air Cambodia	AT7		Scheduled
11:50 PM	EK371	Bangkok (BKK)	Emirates	B77W (A6-ENA)		Estimated dep. 11:50 PM

 

The Emirates flight is via BKK to Dubai.