Cambodia Opens New , China-Funded Airport , to Boost Angkor Wat Tourism.<br />On October 16, Cambodia launched <br />commercial operations at the <br />country's newest and largest airport. .<br />'The Independent' reports that the Siem Reap-Angkor <br />International Airport is meant to serve as a gateway <br />to the centuries-old Angkor Wat temple complex.<br />The first flight to land at the new <br />airport was a Bangkok Airways <br />flight inbound from Thailand. .<br />16 additional flights were scheduled for <br />the airport's first official day in operation. .<br />'The Independent' reports that the new airport, which <br />cost about $1.1 billion, is built on 700 hectares of land <br />approximately 25 miles east of the Angkor Wat complex.<br />'The Independent' reports that the new airport, which <br />cost about $1.1 billion, is built on 700 hectares of land <br />approximately 25 miles east of the Angkor Wat complex.<br />Construction on the airport started in 2020 to replace <br />the old airport due to concerns that the vibrations were damaging Angkor Wat's foundations.<br />The new airport is designed to handle an estimated <br />7 million passengers a year, with plans to boost <br />that capacity up to 12 million passengers by 2040.<br />The new airport is designed to handle an estimated <br />7 million passengers a year, with plans to boost <br />that capacity up to 12 million passengers by 2040.<br />The project was part of <br />a 55-year-build-operate-transfer (BOT) <br />program between China and Cambodia.<br />'The Independent' reports that another Chinese-funded <br />airport is also being developed to serve the capital <br />Phnom Penh at an estimated cost of $1.5 billion.<br />The Techo International Airport, which is being <br />developed on 2,600 hectares (6,425 acres), <br />is scheduled to be completed in 2024
