Cambodia’s Techo International Airport Completes First Test Flight Ahead of September Launch

By Leng Deth

Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Aug. 15, 2025) — Cambodia’s Techo International Airport (TAI) successfully completed its first domestic test flight on Friday, 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.

Phase I of the project is now complete and will support up to 13 million passengers annually. Phase II, scheduled for future development, will expand capacity to 30 million passengers per year, while Phase III—targeted for 2050—aims to handle up to 50 million passengers annually.

The airport’s official launch is set for Sept. 9, 2025. Turkish Airlines and Etihad Airways are among the first international carriers expected to begin operations at the new hub, according to the Civil Aviation Secretariat.

Techo International Airport is expected to replace Phnom Penh International Airport for commercial operations. The project is backed by the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation and features design and engineering contributions from firms in the UK, Canada, China, South Korea, and France.

Cambodia recorded over 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.