Pochentong airport opens as park for New Year

Phnom Penh’s historic Pochentong airport will welcome visitors once more this Khmer New Year – not as a transport hub, but as a public park.

The former international airport, which closed last September when services moved to Techo International Airport, will open its grounds for nine days from 11 to 19 April. Entry will be free, with opening hours from 5am to 9pm.

An inter-ministerial task force announced that the public will be able to stroll through several of the site’s landmark buildings, including the central terminal, the 1950s-era control tower and the VIP passenger lounge. The apron and runway will also be accessible, with parts decorated to highlight traditional Cambodian games.

Visitors are encouraged to use the space for relaxation, exercise and sport, while respecting hygiene rules and restricted zones. Alcohol, fireworks and other explosives are strictly banned. Parking will be available at modest fees – 1,000 riel for motorbikes and 2,000 riel for cars – while bicycles can be parked free of charge.

The government has confirmed that Pochentong will remain state property and be transformed into a permanent public park, rather than sold to private developers. Officials hope the trial opening will draw large crowds and foster a spirit of unity during the holiday.

Built in the 1950s during the Sangkum Reastr Niyum era, Pochentong was Cambodia’s first international airport. Its reopening as a civic space offers residents a chance to reconnect with a site rich in national history, while celebrating the New Year in wide open surroundings.

-2026-04-07