Cambodia doubles airport capacity with pair of expansions

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday inaugurated the Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airport expansions, which have doubled the country’s capacity to handle passengers.

The projects, carried by the concession-holder, France’s Vinci Airports, mean the two airports together can now handle 10 million passengers a year.

In a statement today Vinci said it invested more than $100m in the airports since work began in 2013.

Air travel is booming in Cambodia. Vinci said passenger numbers have increased ten-fold in 20 years, an increase driven by economic growth and tourism.

Vinci, as operator, is promoting new destinations in India and the Philippines.

To serve a growing business clientele, Vinci built a 1,400-sq-m business lounge at the Phnom Penh airport.

Another Vinci Group subsidiary, Vinci Construction Grands Projets, did the construction work and managed to keep the terminals open throughout the project.

Vinci said the projects used BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology to improve safety and scheduling.

According to Vinci, the Siem Reap airport (pictured), located near the Angkor temples takes inspiration from Cambodian tradition.

source http://www.globalconstructionreview.com/news/cambodia-doubles-airp7ort-capa7city-p7air/