New masterplan for Sihanoukville Airport

Cambodia Airports, the concessionaire of Cambodia’s three international airports, has unveiled its 20-year master plan for Sihanoukville International Airport through to 2040. The long-term master plan has been developed to enhance capacity of the airport by handling increasing volume of passengers, both investors and tourists, and cargo.

The future two-decade development project was raised in a meeting at the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) held on 02 June in the presence of H.E Mao Havannall, Minister in charge of SSCA, who then signed off on the Sihanoukville Airports’ master plan.

The master plan is composed of two development phases. Phase I of the development plan covers mostly the exterior infrastructure which will be implemented from now to 2030, focusing on the extension of the runway from the current 2,500 m to 3,300 m, a new taxiway and aircraft stands, and a new passenger terminal.

For Phase II, up to the year 2040, Cambodia Airports plans to expand the terminal in addition to new ancillary facilities including the future enhancement of the runway and apron capacities.

The extension and renovation of 3,300 m runway will be complete and put into commission in the second half of this year. The runway is capable of handling the landing and taking off of wide body and long-haul aircraft.

On 20 May 2020, the US embassy assessed the possibility of Cambodian airports to serve Boeing aircraft.

Just a few days ago, PM Hun Sen highlighted the crucial role of Sihanoukville airport in bridging foreign investments with Cambodian First International Financial Center, which he described as his future ambition.

Alain Brun, CEO of Cambodia Airports, said: “The masterplan for the international airport in Sihanoukville is testament to Cambodia Airports/VINCI Airports continued commitment in enhancing air connectivity and, therefore, in contributing to unlocking business and tourism opportunities for the benefit of the people of Cambodia.”

Under a public-private partnership signed with the Royal Government of Cambodia in 1995, Cambodia Airports holds the concession for the development and management of Cambodia’s network of international airports serving the capital city of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, home to the UNESCO World Heritage Angkor Archeological Complex, and the port city and beach resort of Sihanoukville. The shareholders of Cambodia Airports are France’s VINCI Airports (70 percent) and Muhibbah Masteron Cambodia (30 percent), a Malaysian-Cambodian joint venture.