The first flight touched down at the $1.1 billion Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) on October 16, with the new airport able to welcome seven million passengers a year.

Located in Sotr Nikum district, about 50km from Siem Reap city, the airport was declared open when the first flight landed in the morning. Its passengers were greeted by Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, Vongsey Vissoth.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Vissoth said the 700-hectare SAI boasts a 3,600-meters runway and is a 4E-level international airport that can accommodate long-haul flights from across the world.

He added that there is an additional 1,000 hectares of reserve land that has been allocated for the construction of special economic zones.

“It not only serves trade and economics, but also the tourism sector will benefit from it,” Vissoth said of the new airport.

Chhay Sivlin, President of Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA), said the airport has provided job opportunities and created more business for people who live in the area.

She also believes it will attract more investment into the country and increase tourist arrivals. It has the capacity to handle seven million passengers a year, which will rise to 12 million from 2040.

The airport can currently welcome 65,800 flights annually and up to 112,700 flights from 2040. Additionally, it can handle 10,000 tons of air cargo per year, according to a SSCA report.

Siem Reap Angkor International Airport has also unveiled the price of airport shuttle bus tickets. A single trip costs $8, regardless of the stop. A return ticket is $15 for the 50km journey to Siem Reap city center.

Sivlin noted the high cost of the bus, saying it is more expensive than neighboring countries. She added that the cost of food can also be more expensive in Cambodia.

“If we compare with neighboring countries, it’s not cheap. For Cambodia as a whole, for a long time, we are the most expensive. Not only in terms of transportation, but also in terms of food and travel,” Sivlin said.

Sam So, a tour guide of more than 20 years in Siem Reap, told Kiripost that tourists have visited Cambodia after the pandemic step-by-step. He hopes the new international standard airport will encourage more people to come.

He also noted that many of his guests request direct flights to Cambodia. Currently, the majority are from regional countries, with no direct long-haul flights connecting the Kingdom with Europe and the US, for example.

“I told them [his guests] that we will have a new airport soon of international standards. We are very happy to hear that there will be more tourists; it’s our hope,” So said.

Construction of the airport began in March 2020 with an investment by Angkor International Airport Investment (Cambodia) Co. Ltd of approximately $1.1 billion.

Cambodia recorded 3.4 million air arrivals during the first eight months of 2023, an increase of 180 percent compared to last year.