Cambodia has unveiled its latest and largest airport, now open for travelers in Siem Reap, a province in the northwest of the country.
The impressive Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport, funded by China, has become the primary entry point for tourists heading to the renowned UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Complex.
Early this week, a flight operated by Thailand’s Bangkok Airways marked the inaugural landing at this new airport, which is positioned about 25 miles away from the Angkor heritage site.
Replacing the older Siem Reap International Airport (REP), in operation since 1932 and located a short distance from the Angkor complex, this new airport, identified with the code SAI, was part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, costing approximately $1.1 billion.
It was designed to accommodate an initial volume of 7 million passengers annually, an increase of 2 million compared to REP.
The airport boasts a lengthy 3,600-meter runway.
What’s fascinating about this airport is that it’s the first international airport constructed overseas under a “Build-Operate-Transfer” model by Chinese enterprises.
It is now operated and managed by the Yunnan Aviation Industry Investment Group.
Classified as a “4E airport,” it can handle larger commercial planes, including those typically used for long-haul international routes.
Construction work began in 2020, and the airport’s design was said to be inspired by the traditional architectural style of Cambodia.
While the official airport website provides limited information about the services, shops, and restaurants available at the new facility, it does offer a comprehensive schedule of departing and arriving flights.
Recent statistics from Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism reveal that in the first eight months of 2023, the country welcomed 3.5 million international tourists.
This marks a significant increase of 250.8% compared to the same period last year.
However, it is still slightly lower, by 19.7%, than the numbers from 2019, when the country had to close its borders due to the pandemic.
Cambodia has since eased its entry restrictions related to COVID-19 and began welcoming tourists again in March 2022.
The Ministry of Tourism predicts that by the end of this year, Cambodia could host around 4.5 to 5 million international tourists.
A substantial portion of these visitors choose to explore Siem Reap, making their way to the Angkor complex.
This archaeological site is among the most significant in Southeast Asia, as acknowledged by its UNESCO inscription.
Covering over 400 square kilometers, it contains the remnants of various Khmer Empire capitals, spanning from the 9th to the 15th century.
While numerous sites are scattered throughout the park, the majority of tourists flock to the renowned landmarks of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and the Bayon.
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