Cambodia sets up task force to redevelop old Phnom Penh airport

PHNOM PENH, Jan 20, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet has ordered the creation of an inter-ministerial task force to oversee the redevelopment of the former Phnom Penh International Airport into a public park, while retaining part of the site for emergency aircraft landings.

14-member group will be chaired by Cheang Vannarith, Secretary of State at the Office of the Council of Ministers, with two deputies from the civil aviation and finance ministries.

Hun Manet, speaking at the inauguration of Techo International Airport last October, stressed the land would remain state property.

“It is not for sale and will not be handed over to any private company,” he said.

The redevelopment will follow two principles: preserving the site as an emergency landing facility and transforming it into a large recreational space.

Plans include jogging paths, tree planting, and use of existing ponds for water storage. Some buildings may be repurposed for commercial use or museums to reflect the airport’s history.

The government expects completion by early 2026 and will allocate about $3 million annually for upkeep.

Phnom Penh International Airport, formerly Pochentong, operated for nearly 70 years before closing in September 2025.