Siem Reap Airport: A Compact Gateway To Cambodia's Wonders

Siem Reap International Airport was Cambodia's second-busiest airport. However, due to increased traffic and pollution, a new airport was opened in 2023, which is now the biggest in the country. The new Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport is located about 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Complex, which is one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. The airport is capable of handling large passenger planes and will be able to accommodate 12 million passengers per year by 2030.

Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport is Cambodia's biggest airport

The China-funded airport cost around $1.1 billion and is designed to handle 7 million passengers annually, with future expansion plans aiming to increase this capacity to 12 million by 2030 and over 20 million by 2050. The airport's runway is 3,600 meters long and can accommodate larger commercial planes, including wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A350.

The airport is designated as a "4E airport," meaning it can accommodate larger commercial planes used on global long-haul routes. The design of the airport is inspired by traditional Cambodian architecture, and it covers an area of 700 hectares (1,730 acres) of land. It is located in the Soutr Nikom District, Siem Reap province, and is about 18 km (11 mi) northeast of Damdek and 50 km (31 mi) east of Siem Reap.

The Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport is an important gateway for tourists visiting the Angkor complex, which is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. The complex covers an area of 400 square kilometers and contains the remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, dating from the 9th to the 15th centuries.

It opened in October 2023, replacing Siem Reap International Airport

Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport opened in October 2023, replacing the previous Siem Reap International Airport. The new airport is located in the province of Siem Reap in Cambodia's northwest region. It is the country's newest and biggest airport, serving as the main gateway to the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Complex, one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia.

The previous Siem Reap International Airport was just 5-6 kilometres from the Angkor Wat temple complex, raising concerns about pollution and damage to the ancient temples. As a result, plans were announced in 2010 to replace it with a larger airport further from the temple complex. The new airport is located approximately 40-50 kilometres away from Angkor Wat, providing sufficient distance to protect the temples from noise and vibrations caused by aircraft.

The Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport is a product of a China-Cambodia partnership, with a total capital investment of $1.1 billion. It is the first overseas international airport constructed under a "Build-Operate-Transfer" model by Chinese enterprises and is operated and managed by the Yunnan Aviation Industry Investment Group. The airport is designated a 4E airport, capable of accommodating larger commercial planes, including wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 747 and Airbus A350.

The new airport has an initial capacity to serve 7 million passengers annually, with projections to increase this capacity to 10 million by 2030 and 20 million by 2050. The airport's cargo handling capabilities are also expected to expand significantly over the next 30 years, from an initial 10,000 tons to 60,000 tons. The airport occupies a 700-750 hectare site and is located 40-55 kilometres from Siem Reap town, with a commute time of approximately 60 to 90 minutes by taxi or bus.

The airport is 40km from Angkor Wat, further than the previous airport

The Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport is located about 40km from Angkor Wat, which is further than the previous airport. The previous airport, Siem Reap International Airport, was only 6km from Angkor Wat. The new airport is located in the province of Siem Reap in northwestern Cambodia and is the country's newest and biggest airport. It opened to commercial operations in October 2023, replacing the previous airport, which was closed due to increased traffic and pollution damage to the nearby Angkor Wat temple complex.

The Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport is a "4E airport," capable of accommodating larger commercial planes, including those used on global long-haul routes. The airport's runway can handle wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A350. Future expansion plans aim to increase the airport's capacity to 12 million passengers per year by 2030, with further expansion expected to bring the total capacity to over 20 million passengers per year by 2050.

The new airport is accessible via the newly constructed "Angkor Highway," which has helped reduce travel time to and from Siem Reap town, located approximately 45km away. The airport is also served by shuttle buses, taxis, and local remorks (tuk-tuks), providing transportation to the city centre and Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Cambodia's most popular tourist destinations. It is an archaeological park stretching over 400 square kilometres and containing the remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire from the 9th to the 15th centuries.

It can accommodate large aircraft, with future expansion plans to increase capacity

Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport is Cambodia's newest and biggest airport. It is located in the province of Siem Reap in the country's northwest and is the main gateway to the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Complex, one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. The airport opened for commercial operations on 16 October 2023, replacing the old Siem Reap International Airport, which was just a few kilometres away from the Angkor complex.

The new airport is designated a "4E airport", meaning it can accommodate larger commercial planes, including many of those used on global long-haul routes. The runway is capable of handling narrow-body aircraft like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, and it will soon be expanded to handle wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 747, Boeing 777, Boeing 787, Airbus A330, and Airbus A350.

The airport currently has a capacity of 7 million passengers per year, but future expansion plans aim to increase this significantly. The second phase of development, planned for completion by 2030, will expand the runway to handle wide-body aircraft and increase the airport's capacity to 12 million passengers per year. The third phase, planned for completion by 2050, will further increase the total capacity to over 20 million passengers per year.

The new airport is part of Cambodia's efforts to boost tourism and accommodate the expected growing number of visitors in the coming years. It is also designed to better preserve the nearby Angkor temples by being located further away from them than the old airport. The airport is easily accessible from the city, with an airport expressway and ground transportation options available, ensuring a smooth travel experience for passengers.

The airport is China-funded and inspired by traditional Cambodian architecture

The Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport is a China-funded airport that opened in 2023, replacing the Siem Reap International Airport, which was only a few kilometres away from the Angkor complex. The new airport is located about 40 kilometres away from the protected area, serving as the main gateway to the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Complex, one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia.

The airport is constructed under China's Belt and Road Initiative with an investment of approximately $1.1 billion. It is the first overseas international airport to be built under a "Build-Operate-Transfer" model by Chinese enterprises and is operated and managed by the Yunnan Aviation Industry Investment Group. The airport is designed to handle larger commercial aircraft, making it suitable for global long-haul routes. It is designated a "4E airport", meaning it can accommodate larger commercial planes, including those used on global long-haul routes.

The airport's design is inspired by traditional Cambodian architecture, reflecting the nation's rich cultural heritage. The 700-hectare airport is expected to attract more international tourists to Cambodia, with the potential to handle 7 million air passengers per year from 2024 and up to 12 million passengers annually from 2040. The airport's runway is 3,600 metres long and is capable of handling various wide-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 747 and Airbus A350. Future expansion plans aim to increase the airport's capacity to 12 million passengers per year by 2030, with the third phase expected to be completed by 2050, raising the total capacity to over 20 million passengers annually.

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