Cambodian PM officially opens Techo International

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Monday officially inaugurated Techo International Airport (KTI), Cambodia’s new international gateway. The opening marks a transformational moment for Cambodia’s travel, tourism, and economic development, underscoring the nation’s growing connectivity and emergence as a dynamic Southeast Asian hub and travel destination. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet (centre) attends the inauguration of the airport. (PHOTO: OCIC) Operated by France’s VINCI Airports and supported by global partners including ATKINS, Heerim Architects, consultants such as Singapore’s Changi Airport, and construction firms from Cambodia, France, and China, the new airport is positioned to play a pivotal role in making Phnom Penh and Cambodia more accessible and attractive to travelers and investors worldwide. “Techo International Airport is a symbol of Cambodia’s progress and its growing role as a hub for travel, trade, and tourism in Southeast Asia,” said Pung Kheav Se, Chairman of Cambodia Airport Investment Co. (CAIC)and Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC). The new airport, developed by Cambodia Airport Investment Co. (CAIC), a subsidiary of Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC)in joint venture with the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), represents a uniquely Cambodian achievement in international partnership. Officials hope the new airport will increase tourism to other cities like Siem Reap. (PHOTO: Matt Driskill) “Techo International Airport will be the first warm welcome many visitors receive in Cambodia — reflecting our hospitality and culture,”said Minea Kim, Chief Executive Officer of the Cambodia Tourism Board. “Cambodia is committed to offering experiences that inspire and delight travellers.” The airport currently operates 31 airlines offering 44 direct connection routes, with 130 daily aircraft movements and approximately 13,500 daily passengers. For aircraft servicing, SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC), a subsidiary of the Singapore Airlines Group, is partnering with CAIC to provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO)services at the new hub. KTI has already welcomed additional international airlines since its opening, significantly expanding Cambodia’s global connectivity. Etihad Airways launched direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Phnom Penh on October 4, 2025, providing gateway access to the Middle East and Europe. Turkish Airlines will begin Istanbul service on December 10, 2025, adding another European connection. Air Cambodia, the nation’s flag carrier, is also establishing regular service to Tokyo on October 26, 2025, enhancing ties with Asia. Designed by renowned British architecture firm Foster + Partners and operated by France’s VINCI Airports, KTI combines world-class facilities with authentic Cambodian heritage. The terminal features Khmer-inspired design elements, including a 9-meter Abhayamudra Buddha statue and over 200 hand-carved stone sculptures by local artisans. Built with modern sustainability and energy-efficient practices, KTI reflects Cambodia’s commitment to responsible development. VINCI Airports recorded strong traffic growth in Q3 VINCI Airports said it welcomed 94 million passengers, up 4.2% year-on-year, or 3.8 million additional travellers worldwide. Summer 2025 was characterised by good traffic performance at most airports. High load factors and an increasing airline seat supply fuelled this expansion. Some hubs performed particularly well: resort destinations around the Mediterranean in Europe and routes between China and Japan. Strong summer demand in Japan, illustrated by the increase in load factors despite an increased seat supply, was boosted by the Universal Exhibition held in Osaka. Connections with China were very busy (+51% compared to 2024; +24% compared to 2019), thanks to the significant increase in flights offered by Chinese airlines. Regional markets (South Korea; Taiwan) as well as domestic routes continue to perform well. In Cambodia, where VINCI Airports is the concessionaire of Sihanoukville airport and, since September 9, has been operating the new Techo International airport in Phnom Penh through an operating contract, the recovery of traffic continues, driven by regional connections including China. In Portugal, the summer season was marked by solid traffic growth in Lisbon, and even more so in Porto, Faro and Funchal (+7% on average across these four airports). In Lisbon, European connections (Germany and Italy in particular) served by low-cost airlines and long-haul traffic with the United States and Brazil were the main drivers. Porto and Faro airports continue to attract many passengers from the United Kingdom and Germany. In France, Nantes and Lyon airports recorded good traffic in August. In Nantes, French, Spanish and Italian tourist destinations were very popular (increased service from easyJet and Air France Group airlines). In Lyon, French and North African destinations performed well. In the two latest acquisitions of the VINCI Airports network, in Edinburgh and Budapest, traffic growth was remarkable, driven by destinations in Western Europe and the Mediterranean region. In Belgrade , traffic grew by double digits on routes to Greece, Italy, Germany and Spain. Cabo Verde airports continue to grow at a strong pace, thanks to the strengthening of services from TACV, TAP and Transavia, and new flights from easyJet. Belfast International and London Gatwick airports have been hit by a decline in the number of seats on sale. This is mainly due to the reorganisation of flights by some low-cost airlines in favor of longer segments to tourist destinations and to the detriment of domestic flights within the United Kingdom (which penalizes the number of rotations, and therefore the number of seats on sale). For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]