Siem Reap’s New (and Bigger) International Airport to Open 16 October
On 16 October 2023, Siem Reap, Cambodia, will officially open its new international airport.
In the lead up to the opening, the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) is testing non-commercial and non-profitable flights.
This is a big change for the humble town and gateway to the world-renowned Angkor temples. SAI is not only bigger than Siem Reap’s current international airport, but also further out of town – 40 kilometres eastwards.
Siem Reap’s new airport was constructed to accommodate the expected growing number of visitors in years to come, as well as to better preserve the nearby Angkor temples.
The new airport will have 38 gates and will be able to welcome large passenger planes like the Airbus A-340-300 and A350-900, as well as the Boeing B777-200/300ER and B747-300/400. This will increase Siem Reap’s capacity to operate direct flights from various destinations.
While an airport highway has been built to accommodate the distance and traffic between the new airport and Siem Reap town, the journey is still expected to take about an hour by taxi. Offering a public service shuttle for this route has been suggested and is under discussion, but no official plans have been set yet.
All commercial passenger and cargo flights currently operated at the existing Siem Reap International Airport (REP) “will be transferred entirely and one time only” to the new facility (SAI) from 00:00 AM (Cambodian Time) on 16th October, the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) said in a statement.
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