A $100 million project to expand the passenger terminals at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap international airports has begun, as Cambodia strives to accommodate vigorous passenger growth. Khek Norinda, Communications Director for Cambodia Airports, said the development, which started in January, will see an extension of th
A $100 million project to expand the passenger terminals at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap international airports has begun, as Cambodia strives to accommodate vigorous passenger growth.
Khek Norinda, Communications Director for Cambodia Airports, said the development, which started in January, will see an extension of the parking lots and terminals, including more check-in and immigration counters and new baggage handling systems.
“The commercial area will be enlarged for more retail shops offering a larger range of brands, new [food and beverage] outlets and a mezzanine CIP [commercially important person] lounge to cater to first-class and business travelers,” he added.
The current construction is the 1st phase of an expansion program to upgrade facilities and address the rising number of visitors to Cambodia, which reached 4.2 million in 2013 compared with 3.68 million the year before, according to Ministry of Tourism statistics.
“Each airport will double its capacity to 5 million [passengers per year] from the current 2.5 million [passengers per year],” Norinda said.
Norinda said the airport expansions will be within the company's boundaries.
It is estimated the extensions will be completed by the end of 2015 for Siem Reap airport and 2016 for Phnom Penh.