Cambodia’s Techo International Airport to Conduct Final Test Flights Ahead of September Launch

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Aug. 21, 2025) — Cambodia’s Techo International Airport will conduct a second round of test flights in early September ahead of its official commercial launch on Sept. 9, officials said Thursday.

The $2 billion airport, located outside Phnom Penh, completed its first successful trial flight on Aug. 15. According to Charles Vann, director of Cambodia Airport Investment Co. Ltd. (CAIC), the upcoming test will involve two large aircraft operated by Singapore Airlines and Air Cambodia.

Classified as a 4F-grade facility, Techo International Airport was developed entirely by Cambodian stakeholders and features energy-saving architecture, including a curved roof design and natural light optimization technology.

Techo International Airport (TAI) successfully completed its first domestic test flight on Aug. 15, marking a key milestone in the lead-up to its official opening next month. The flight, operated between Phnom Penh International Airport and Techo International Airport, carried 200 passengers, including foreign nationals, as part of a full-scale systems trial.

The test was conducted to verify operational readiness across all airport systems, including passenger handling, security and air traffic control. “The test flight was a success. All systems performed as expected,” said Sinn Chansereyvutha, secretary of state and spokesperson for the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation.

Located in Kandal province, roughly 20 kilometers south of Phnom Penh, Techo International Airport is Cambodia’s largest aviation infrastructure project to date. The $2 billion, 4F-class facility spans 2,600 hectares and is designed to accommodate long-haul aircraft, including the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-800.

Cambodia recorded more than 3.6 million air passengers in the first half of 2025, a 20% increase year over year. Officials expect total passenger traffic to reach 7.5 million by year-end, with Techo Airport positioned to absorb future growth and strengthen Cambodia’s role in regional aviation.

The airport is being built in three phases. Phase one, now complete, is designed to handle up to 13 million passengers annually. Phase two will expand capacity to 30 million, while phase three — scheduled for completion by 2050 — will accommodate up to 50 million passengers per year.