The Jaw-Dropping Grandeur of Siem Reap's Magnificent New Airport - Beyond the Doors of UNESCO's Angkor Wonder
Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport, funded by China, has opened as Cambodia's largest and newest airport It serves as the primary gateway to the renowned Angkor Archaeological Complex, boosting the country's recovering tourism industry
Cambodia's largest and newest airport, the China-funded Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport, has commenced commercial operations this week in the northwestern province of Siem Reap. It now serves as the primary entry point to the renowned Angkor Archaeological Complex, a UNESCO-listed tourist attraction in the country.
On Monday morning, Thailands Bangkok Airways operated the inaugural flight to the newly built airport, situated approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the protected region. With the official International Air Transport Association code SAI, this airport replaces Siem Reap International Airport (REP), which initially commenced operations in 1932 and is merely a short distance from the Angkor complex.
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Constructed with a budget of around $1.1 billion as a part of China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, the newly built airport boasts a 3,600-meter-long runway and a capacity to accommodate 7 million passengers annually - an increase of 2 million from the REP airport.
The Chinese Embassy's Economic and Commercial Office in Cambodia states that this is the first international airport to be built overseas by Chinese enterprises using the "Build-Operate-Transfer" model. The Yunnan Aviation Industry Investment Group operates and manages the airport. It is classified as a "4E airport," capable of handling larger commercial aircraft commonly used for long-haul flights worldwide.
Construction of the airport began in 2020, taking inspiration from traditional Cambodian architecture. The official airport website currently lacks detailed information about available services, shops, and restaurants. However, it does provide a comprehensive schedule of departing and arriving flights.
Located in Siem Reap province, the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park is one of Cambodia's most famous sites.
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Cambodias recovering tourism market
According to recent data from the Ministry of Tourism in Cambodia, the country welcomed 3.5 million international tourists in the first eight months of 2023. This marks a notable increase of 250.8% compared to the same period last year, but a decline of 19.7% compared to 2019 when the country closed its borders due to the pandemic. Cambodia eased its Covid entry restrictions and reopened for tourists in March 2022. The ministry predicts that the country is expected to receive around 4.5 to five million international tourists by the end of this year.
Siem Reap attracts numerous visitors who come to explore the Angkor complex, a UNESCO-inscribed archaeological site considered highly significant in Southeast Asia. The park spans over 400 square kilometers and showcases the remnants of various capitals of the Khmer Empire, spanning from the 9th to the 15th century. However, a major portion of tourist activity is concentrated on a few key sites, including Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and the Bayon.
