Cambodia Benefits as China’s Airport Construction Leader Expands Airport Projects

The new airport will reduce pressure on Cambodia’s existing airports  by making air travel more efficient. It is also expected to attract more foreign visitors, thereby helping in the growth of the economy.

China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Group Co (CCTEB), a leading airport construction company in China, has developed over 100 airport hubs in China and abroad and is looking to expand its global footprint after the launch of its recent flagship project in Cambodia.

As a significant part of the China State Construction Engineering Group, CCTEB is committed to the comprehensive industrial chain’s intelligent development.

The Techno International Airport was constructed by Cambodia Airport Investment Co Ltd, along with CCTEB. It was supposed to be the major lead for Cambodia’s aviation sector, and it was officially opened for operation on Tuesday.

The new airport will reduce pressure on Cambodia’s existing airports  by making air travel more efficient. It is also expected to attract more foreign visitors, thereby helping in the growth of the economy. With more international flights and passengers, tourism income will likely rise. The project has created jobs during construction and will continue to do so as the airport operates. Better air transport will make it easier to trade goods in and out of Cambodia. The airport’s improved connections may also bring in more foreign investment and encourage new businesses and infrastructure in the area.

Ambassadors and representatives from India, France, Japan, Canada, the UK, and Australian embassies in Cambodia were impressed by the new airport during their visits.

The airport is located approximately 19km from the center of the capital, Phnom Penh. The construction was completed in July. The airport, which spans Kandal and Takeo provinces, covers an area of 2,600 hectares.

CCTEB was involved in the major design and construction of various airport landscapes, including the passenger terminal, north pier, energy centre, viaduct in front of the station, outdoor road, and landscape works.

The passenger terminal has four main floors and a basement, covering 160,000 square meters. The viaduct to the station is 580 meters long. The north pier is a three-story building with 20 boarding bridges and covers 50,000 square meters. The energy center is a two-story building with an area of 7,000 square meters.

Yao Deshun, CCTEB’s project manager for Techo, stated that this airport is the largest project in Cambodia to date, in terms of both volume and area of steel structures, utilizing advanced construction techniques.

As per Yao, the initiative also involved the creation of Cambodia’s largest energy center, which features the largest local chilling unit with a cooling capacity of 7,800 kilowatt-hours and over 1,000 photovoltaic panels.

The center has the potential to produce up to 120 million kWh per year, which can contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions by about 100,000 metric tons, positioning it as one of the most eco-friendly airports globally, as highlighted by Yao.

Techo is known as the tallest 4F airport in the world. The airport was fully built in three phases. It can handle up to 50 million passengers annually.

Former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen visited the hub twice during the construction phase, while the current Prime Minister Hun Manet visited the airport in 2024. During his visit, Manet appreciated the project management and labor force who overcame many challenges while completing the project.

In October 2024, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin visited the airport and appreciated the advancements made in the project. On the day of the inauguration, the director of the Cambodian Civil Aviation Authority talked about the scientific thoughtfulness put into the project and how they managed the COVID-19 pandemic during the construction period.

Yao Deshun took the flight from Guangdong to Phnom Penh to experience the flight for the first time since its launch.

Project managers say the opening of Techo International Airport is a major milestone for Cambodia. They believe it also sets a new standard for international teamwork and will create new opportunities for growth in Cambodia and Southeast Asia.