Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet made the affirmation this morning during the official inauguration of the new Techo International Airport (TIA) in Kandal province.

“The old airport is not for sale. It is state property under state control and currently maintained by the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, with an annual maintenance cost of about US$3 million,” the Premier stated, addressing recent public speculation about the land’s future.

Repurposing for Public Benefit

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet outlined several ways the approximately 200-hectare site will be preserved and utilized:

1. Emergency Reserve: The facility will be maintained as a reserve runway to accommodate emergency landings if needed.
2. Public Space: The land could be transformed into a public park and an aviation museum for the enjoyment and benefit of Phnom Penh residents.

The Phnom Penh International Airport, which had been in operation since 1959, officially ceased all flight operations on September 8, 2025, marking the full transition to the new TIA hub.

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The announcement was made by Lok Neak Oknha Pung Kheav Se, Chairman of Cambodia Airport Investment Corporation (CAIC), a subsidiary of the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC), during the official inauguration ceremony this morning, which was presided over by Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet.

Multi-Modal Hub via New Waterway

OCIC plans to construct a 10-kilometre waterway with a total investment of US$100 million. This new channel will connect the nearby Boeung Cheung Loung Lake to the Bassac River and the Funan Techo Canal. This strategic link will provide seamless connectivity all the way to Kep city, Cambodia’s coastal province.

Mr. Pung Kheav Se emphasized that this waterway will give TIA a crucial competitive advantage by establishing it as a true multi-modal hub accessible by air, land, and sea.

Development of the Airport Satellite City

Beyond infrastructure, OCIC has begun the large-scale development of the Airport Satellite City to support the airport’s operations and staff. The master plan for this new city includes several key components:

• Affordable Housing: Dedicated residential construction for the thousands of TIA staff and workers who are relocating from areas near the old Phnom Penh International Airport.
• Commercial Zones: Residential and commercial areas, factories, and warehouses.
• Economic Drivers: An international exhibition centre and a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) aimed at promoting production and exports directly through the new TIA gateway.

To enhance the cultural environment, OCIC is also developing a cultural park on the landside of the airport to promote Khmer traditions to visitors.

Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet expressed his full support for these ambitious projects, noting that they will further boost local development and create significantly more job opportunities for the Cambodian people.

Related Article: Cambodia Unveils $2.3 Billion Techo International Airport as ‘Long-Term Development Vision’

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Prime Minister Hun Manet championed the project as a reflection of Cambodia’s strategic future. “This is a new achievement reflecting Cambodia’s long-term development vision,” Samdech Thipadei stated. “TIA will serve as a driving force to attract more tourists and investors to Cambodia. We will open our horizons even wider.”

The Minister in Charge of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), H.E. Dr. Mao Havannall, affirmed the airport’s significance, describing it as an important bridge of solidarity and cooperation that strengthens the country’s tourism industry and overall economic growth.

The vast project, costing US$2.3 billion, was spearheaded by the Cambodia Airport Investment Corporation (CAIC), a subsidiary of OCIC. Lok Neak Oknha Pung Kheav Se, Chairman of CAIC, confirmed the total expenditure covered the construction of the main passenger terminal building (PTB), airfields, ancillary buildings, and both general aviation and VVIP terminals.

The airport is classified as a 4F-level international airport, the highest global standard, capable of accommodating the world’s largest aircraft, including the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747.

TIA commenced operations on September 9, 2025, and is situated on more than 2,600 hectares approximately 20 kilometers from Phnom Penh. It is designed for massive future expansion: Phase 1 accommodates 13 million passengers, Phase 2 will handle 30 million, and Phase 3 is projected to reach 50 million annually.

Furthermore, Mr. Pung Kheav Se highlighted TIA’s immediate international credibility, noting that Etihad Airways launched direct flights on October 4, with Turkish Airlines scheduled to begin service on December 10, 2025. This expansion improves connectivity to the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. He also proudly cited that Cathay Pacific chose TIA as a trusted alternative to park 13 of its aircraft during Typhoon Ragasa, demonstrating international confidence in TIA’s facilities.

Related Article: Etihad Airways Launches Historic Direct Flights to Phnom Penh’s Techo International Airport

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