CAMBODIA. Deputy Prime Minister His Excellency Bin Chhin today officially inaugurated Phnom Penh International Airport’s new arrivals hall and the extension of the boarding concourse.
The US$26 million project is the second phase of the airport’s development, following a US$100 million expansion in 2016. The additional work was initiated to address burgeoning passenger arrivals and to provide higher-quality services for airport users.
Speaking before a packed audience, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasised the critical impact of the airport’s activities on Cambodia’s economy and development.
According to a study carried out in 2015, the international airports in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville accounted for 17% of the country’s GDP and provided jobs for 20% of its working population. The three platforms have been developed and managed since 1995 by Cambodia Airports, a partnership between France’s Vinci Airports and Malaysian company Muhibbah*.
Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of Vinci Concessions and Chairman of Vinci Airports, said: “With this investment programme, we want to keep pace with traffic growth and bolster our airport capacity. Along with the network’s two other airports, Phnom Penh international Airport is fully prepared to accommodate the 7 million visitors expected in Cambodia by year 2020 and beyond.”
Over 10,000sq m have been added to the passenger terminal and some areas have been fully renovated. The extended arrivals hall has been equipped with two new conveyor belts, speeding up baggage delivery.
The domestic departures concourse has been expanded and two additional boarding gates commissioned. Due to its modular design, the lounge can conveniently be converted to international use if necessary, especially to ease flows at the departure lounges.
At the arrivals exit, a spacious esplanade – adorned at its centre with a pond and a hand-carved 20-tonne statue representing Khmer symbols of peace and prosperity – welcomes arriving passengers and meeters & greeters. The meeting point features an array of new commercial offerings, including food & beverage outlets and kiosks providing telecommunication services, information to tourists, and transport to the city.
Vinci Construction Grands Projets partnered with Muhibbah for the construction and renovation programme.
*About Cambodia Airports
Cambodia Airports has held the concession for the development and management of Cambodia’s network of international airports since 1995 under the terms of a public-private partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia. These airports serve 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%) and Muhibbah Masteron Cambodia (30%), a Malaysian-Cambodian joint venture.