16-11-2023 (SIEM REAP) Cambodia marked a significant milestone on Thursday (November 16) with the inauguration of a new airport in Siem Reap province, a $1.1 billion venture located near the renowned Angkor temple complex. This development is poised to bolster efforts to attract a larger number of Chinese tourists, with the Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Manet, expressing confidence in the airport’s capabilities during the opening ceremony.
“The management and equipment of this airport are sophisticated and prepared to accept more flights,” stated Prime Minister Hun Manet at the inauguration. Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cambodia had welcomed 6.6 million foreign tourists, with over a third hailing from China.
Prime Minister Hun Manet underscored the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport as “the fruit” of peace and an achievement reflecting the amicable relations between Cambodia and China. Spanning 700 hectares, the airport complex was constructed with a total investment of $1.1 billion, partially financed through loans from China.
Designed to function as the primary gateway to the Angkor temples, the airport is anticipated to play a pivotal role in enhancing tourist access to the ancient temple site, famously featured in the Lara Croft: Tomb Raider film. The initial passenger capacity of the airport is set at 7 million annually, with plans to expand this figure to 12 million by the year 2040.
