Techo International Airport in Cambodia Debuts as Fully Digital Gateway for Phnom Penh Tourism: What You Need to Know

Published on November 26, 2025

Cambodia’s new Techo International Airport near Phnom Penh has officially opened as the country’s primary capital gateway, introducing a fully digital passenger journey designed to transform national tourism, connectivity and long-term aviation growth. The three-runway hub replaces Phnom Penh International Airport and anchors a wider strategy to modernize infrastructure, attract international visitors and position Cambodia as a competitive tourism and business destination in Southeast Asia.​

Located around twenty kilometres south of Phnom Penh in Kandal Province, Techo International Airport (IATA: KTI, ICAO: VDTI) has been developed as a large-scale greenfield project capable of handling the latest generation of widebody aircraft. The airport covers more than twenty-six hundred hectares and is classified as a 4F facility under International Civil Aviation Organization standards, enabling operations by the world’s largest commercial jets and providing a foundation for expanded long-haul tourism links.​

The project is led by Cambodia Airport Investment Co., Ltd. (CAIC), a joint venture between the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation and Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation, with a total investment of about USD 2.3 billion. Developed in three phases, Phase 1 is designed for thirteen million passengers per year, with Phase 2 increasing capacity to thirty million and Phase 3 scaling up to fifty million, aligning with Cambodia’s long-term tourism and trade projections.​

Digital-first passenger experience

From day one, Techo International Airport has been built as a fully digital hub powered by SITA’s next-generation airport systems, making it the first Cambodian airport to offer an end-to-end self-service journey. Passengers can use self-service kiosks, automated bag drops, and biometric eGates from check-in to boarding, reducing queues and enhancing the overall tourismexperience for both first-time and repeat visitors.​

Behind the scenes, SITA’s Airport Management System and Airport Vision platforms provide real-time operational data, enabling airport teams to anticipate disruptions, optimize resources and maintain on-time performance even as passenger volumes grow. The SITA Bag Managersolution offers real-time baggage tracking, decreasing mishandling and improving confidence for international tourism markets that prioritize reliability and seamless travel.​

Airline connectivity and regional hub ambitions

As operations ramp up, twenty-nine airlines are already connected through SITA’s Common Use Terminal Equipment (CUTE) platform, supporting collaborative processes between airlines, ground handlers and airport operations. This integrated environment, which also includes Local Departure Control System, Pax Check, Pax Locate and SITATEX messaging, is designed to support efficient growth in tourism and business traffic without compromising service standards.​

The new hub replaces the former Phnom Penh International Airport as the main gateway for the capital, consolidating international and domestic services in a larger, more scalable facility. By accommodating higher-capacity aircraft and more frequent services, the airport strengthens Cambodia’s position in regional networks and supports initiatives by authorities and partners to expand routes that directly serve tourism hotspots across the country.​

National development and tourism strategy

Techo International Airport is a central pillar of Cambodia’s strategy to enhance tourism, logistics and investment through modern infrastructure. The State Secretariat of Civil Aviation has emphasized the airport’s role in improving air connectivity to key source markets, while the Cambodia Tourism Board positions the gateway as a symbol of the country’s hospitality and cultural identity for arriving visitors.​

With capacity far exceeding the previous airport and room for future expansion, KTI enables Cambodia to plan for sustained growth in tourism arrivals, including long-haul markets that require efficient hub operations and digital processing. The combination of advanced technology, larger terminal space and increased aircraft handling capability is expected to reduce congestion, improve travel times and encourage airlines to launch new routes that support national tourismtargets.​

Passenger facilities and design

The passenger terminal at Techo International Airport has been designed in collaboration with international engineering and architecture firms to blend modern infrastructure with Khmer-inspired elements. Spacious check-in halls, streamlined security areas and clearly organized boarding zones support the digital journey, while cultural motifs and local artwork showcase Cambodian heritage, reinforcing a sense of place that enhances tourism appeal.​

Wayfinding, retail and food-and-beverage outlets have been planned to meet the expectations of global travelers while promoting Cambodian products and experiences. This balance of functionality and cultural presentation positions the airport as both a transport hub and an introduction to the country’s tourism ecosystem, encouraging longer stays and repeat visits.​

Sustainability and future readiness

Techo International Airport has been conceived as a sustainable, scalable asset that can adapt to future aviation trends and tourism demand. The project emphasizes energy-efficient operations, modern airfield design and integrated systems that support optimized aircraft movements, with the goal of minimizing environmental impact while accommodating increased regional and international traffic.​

By integrating digital technology at every stage, the airport aims to maintain operational resilience and deliver consistent service levels during peak tourism seasons and periods of strong growth. The combination of flexible infrastructure and data-driven management provides a framework for long-term expansion, allowing Cambodia to respond proactively to evolving traveler expectations and airline strategies.​

Boost for Phnom Penh and national tourism

For Phnom Penh and wider Cambodia, the opening of Techo International Airport marks the beginning of a new era for tourism-led development. Enhanced connectivity is expected to increase visitor flows to the capital and onward to destinations such as Siem Reap, coastal provinces and emerging community-based tourism areas, distributing economic benefits more widely.​

As airlines and partners leverage the new airport’s capacity and digital capabilities, Cambodia stands to strengthen its profile as a competitive, visitor-friendly destination in Southeast Asia’s fast-growing tourism market. With its fully digital journey, scalable design and strategic location, Techo International Airport is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s aviation and tourism landscape for decades to come