Gov. reveals US$3.5 bn investment to upgrade Cambodia’s airports

• 17 April 2020
• Local News
• 8293 Views

The government has announced that US$3.5 billion is to be invested will building, expanding and renovating all Cambodian airports in the aviation development program from 2015 to 2023, as part of the Open Sky policy and the government’s vision to accelerate domestic transportation and link Cambodia to international trade hubs.

This aviation development plan was revealed by HE Sin Chan Seikvutha, Deputy Director-General of Technical Secretariat of Civil Aviation at a press conference on the progress and working direction of the Secretariat of Civil Aviation on Thursday 16 April 2020.

Significant investment will be made into at least 10 airport projects in Cambodia both for rehabilitation and rebuilding projects aiming to upgrade these airports up to an international level of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) standard.

The ICAO’s standard is divided into two parts. The first part is a code based on the length of the landing, with four subcategories, numbered from 1 to 4. The second is the A-to-F code, based on the wingspan and tire size.
Those airport development projects include:

1. Phnom Penh International Airport or Pochentong Airport: in the 2015-2030 plan of the Secretary of State for Civil Aviation, has shown infrastructure expansion project, adding US$ 332 million for renovations and improvement of the current airport to a 4F standard one. (Read more) (Read more)

2. Siem Reap International Airport: has an additional investment of US$174 million to improve the current airport to be a 4D standard. (Read more)

3. Sihanoukville International Airport: has an additional investment of US$180 million to upgrade to be a 4C level. This airport is situated about 18 km away from Sihanouk Ville town. (Read more)

Investment in these three airports is either from SCA or the Cambodian airport concession company.

4. New Phnom Penh International Airport: US$1.5 billion construction investment by Cambodian Overseas Investment Company (OCIC).Located at the border of Kandal and Takeo provinces, currently 30% complete. The airport will be upgraded to a 4F class airport, with the BOEING 747-8 and the AIRBUS A-380-800 being the 9th largest. (Read more)

5. New Siem Reap International Airport: Investment from Yunnan Investment Holdings Ltd (YIHL) will cost about $980 million on 700 hectares of land, including a 1,000-hectare Special Economic Zone. On the other hand, in anticipation of future air traffic, the airport will be expanded to 4F standard later on. (Read more)

6. Dara Sakor Airport: An investment from Union Development Group (UDG) with a total investment of US$200 million. The first stage of this project is expected to be completed by May. According to company information, the airport will be a Class 4C airport that will allow the B777 and A340 aircraft to land. (Read more)

7. Fourth International Airport – Koh Kong Airport: A US$60 million joint-investment project from a local company Lyon Phat and Bangkok Airways. This airport will be upgraded to 4C level. (Read more)

8. Poipet Airport: The developer is Poipet Airport Investment Company investing US$50 million. It may be built at the old airport location. Since the airport is still under study, the standard for the airport is yet to be confirmed. (Read more)

9. Mondulkiri Airport: Built to 4C standard, it will cost about US$60 million. The government will prepare about 300 hectares of land for the project and a year for a feasibility study. For the location, the Mondulkiri airport will be built in O’Rong district and will be developed as park as well. (Read more)

10. Battambang Airport: This project is currently undergoing a feasibility study by French company Airaviata (AAT) Cambodia Regional Airlines Company. The Secretariat of Civil Aviation stated that this airport would potentially be divided into three phases, with the government opting for a new location for the three phase plan. For the time being, the old Battambang airport will receive a planning budget to rehabilitate, improve and upgrade standards. (Read more)

11. Stung Treng Airport: According to the priority plan submitted to the Royal Government through the Ministry of Planning, this airport will be renovated and upgraded to its original location as 4C standard.

12. Ratanakkiri Airport: the construction will be on new location and the airport will be 3C class.

13. Preah Vihear Airport: the construction will be at 3C level at new location. Relevant institutions are studying this new plan.

Notably, the airport’s standard from 3C level up can allow the BOEING 737-700 and AIRBUS A-320 landing in case the airport road is long enough for these large aircraft.

In short, the development, rehabilitation, and upgrading of new and existing airports in Cambodia is a response to the growth of both domestic travel and economic development. In Battambang province, the number of tourists has increased by 6% per year according to the Ministry of Tourism.

Cambodia is also busy improving and modernising the air traffic management system to a more advanced level.

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