Deutsch
Nederlands
Welcome to KTI Phnom Penh Airport
The Great Transition: Our Final Farewell and a Welcome to KTI Phnom Penh Airport
On August 31 2025, we departed from Phnom Penh International Airport on a flight to New Delhi. This flight would be our last from that historic airport! We feel incredibly lucky to have been a part of its final moments of operation. What an amazing way to say goodbye to a piece of history!
But looking ahead, we are incredibly excited about the future of travel in Cambodia, led by the stunning new Phnom Penh airport: Techo International Airport (KTI) in Phnom Penh!
The airport was built in the 1950s and operated under the Pochentong name for decades before being officially renamed Phnom Penh International Airport in the late 1990s. The name “Pochentong” refers to the area where the airport is located, a district just west of Phnom Penh’s city center.
The Pochentong Airport played a crucial and central role during the period of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC), which was active from 1992 to 1993.
During the UNTAC mission, Pochentong Airport served as the primary logistical and operational hub for the entire UN peacekeeping and humanitarian effort. It was the main point of entry and exit for a massive influx of international personnel, including military peacekeepers, civilian police, and aid workers from dozens of countries.
Repatriation of Refugees
One of the most significant functions of the airport during this time was its role in the repatriation of Cambodian refugees. From 1992 to 1993, UNTAC oversaw the return of over 360,000 Cambodian refugees from camps in Thailand. While most of the repatriation was conducted by road, the airport was essential for coordinating the movement of personnel and aid related to this massive humanitarian effort. It served as a gateway for the return of Cambodians who had been displaced by years of war and conflict.
In essence, Pochentong Airport was the lifeline of the UNTAC mission, symbolizing both the international community’s effort to restore peace in Cambodia and the hope for a new beginning as Cambodians returned to their homeland.
The airport was closed to commercial flights on September 9, 2025, and all services have been transferred to the new Techo International Airport (KTI).
The new KTI Phnom Penh Techo International Airport
The first commercial airline to land at the new Techo International Airport (KTI) on its opening day, September 9, 2025, was Air Cambodia.
Their inaugural flight, K6611, arrived from Guangzhou, China, and was greeted with a ceremonial water cannon salute and a traditional Cambodian welcome.2 Shortly after, a Singapore Airlines flight also landed, marking the new airport’s first international arrival.3
Phnom Penh’s new airport, officially known as Techo International Airport (KTI), is now operational.1 It officially opened on September 9, 2025, and has taken over all commercial flights from the former Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH).
On September 22, 2025, we had to fly from New Delhi and land at Phnom Penh’s brand-new Techo International Airport (KTI)!
From the plane, we were treated to a spectacular view of the city’s skyline. Since we were flying at a low altitude, we had a perfect vantage point to see the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers merging in a beautiful embrace. The landing was as smooth as silk, and the moment we stepped into the terminal, we were absolutely blown away! The entire building is breathtakingly impressive and absolutely spotless.
The staff was fantastic—everyone from security to the cleaning crew was so welcoming and had a huge smile for us. They were incredibly helpful, especially for those who hadn’t completed their e-arrival cards beforehand. There were a dozen tablets ready for use, and a friendly staff member was right there to help. Since we already had our visa and e-arrival cards, we sailed through immigration in record time!
We even took a moment to visit the departure hall, where a massive and beautiful Buddha statue stands. It’s truly a sight to behold. It being a Sunday and the airport being less than two weeks old, there were so many locals who had come just to admire the new building, and we completely understood why. This stunning new airport is a monumental asset for Cambodia!
Here is what you need to know about KTI Phnom Penh International Airport:
The airport is located in the Kandal and Takeo provinces, about 20-30 kilometers south of Phnom Penh’s city center. It covers a massive area of 2,600 hectares, making it one of the largest airports in the world by land size.
In its first phase, the airport is designed to handle up to 13 million passengers per year.This is a significant upgrade from the old airport, which served around 6 million passengers in 2019.
The airport has a master plan for phased expansion, with a goal to eventually handle up to 50 million passengers annually by 2050.
Designed by the renowned architectural firm Foster + Partners, the terminal’s design is inspired by Cambodian cultural heritage, featuring a tree-canopy-like roof that allows for ample natural light. It is also designed to be highly sustainable, with an on-site solar farm.
Got curious and want to read more of our blogs? Click here.
