Dara Sakor International Airport Explained

Dara Sakor International Airport
Pushpin Label:DSY
R1-Surface:Concrete
R1-Length-M:3200
R1-Length-F:10498
R1-Number:03/21
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Dara Sakor International Airport in Cambodia
Pushpin Map:Cambodia
Iata:DSY
Coordinates:10.915°N 103.224°W
Location: Cambodia
City-Served:Botum Sakor
Type:Public
Icao:VDDS
Nativename-A:អាកាសយានដ្ឋានអន្តរជាតិតារាសាគរ

Dara Sakor International Airport is a public use airport in development serving Botum Sakor in Cambodia. It was developed at a cost of $350 million by Chinese-owned Tianjin Union Development Group.[1] The airport will have its first test flights in mid-2023.[2] It will also serve the new Dara Sakor Resort.[3] After a two-year delay, Governor of Koh Kong has announced at a press conference that the airport will begin operations in mid-2023.[4] However, the opening is delayed and the airport is currently still under construction.[5] [6]

The airport is to serve as the operational base of Lanmei Airlines.[1]

Controversy

The airport is strategically positioned, located near Cambodia's largest naval base, Ream Naval Base.[7] [8]

The airport's 3400m (11,200feet) airstrip is unusually long and can host Chinese military aircraft.[9] [10] Based on 'circumstantial evidence,' the US Department of Defense has raised concern that the airport could be used as a PLA Air Force base, however the airport does not have any infrastructure suggesting military use.[11] In 2020, the US placed sanctions against the airport's developer, claiming it was built on seized land and citing possible Chinese military use. Both Tianjin Union group and the Cambodian government have refuted these claims.[12]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021-05-13. Dara Sakor International Airport Close to Operation. 2022-01-23. Khmer Post Asia. en-US.
  2. Web site: 2021-10-31. Dara Sakor International Airport set for flight trials early next year - Khmer Times. 2022-01-23. en-US.
  3. Web site: 2019-11-13. Koh Kong airport to be ready in three years - Khmer Times. 2022-01-23. en-US.
  4. Web site: 2023-02-22 . ‘100% complete’ Darasakor Koh Kong Airport will open this year, states Governor - Khmer Times . 2023-02-22 . en-US.
  5. Web site: Vanyuth . Chea . 19 May 2023 . Dara Sakor International Airport hits another delay . Khmer Times.
  6. Web site: Sokunthea . Neang . 17 November 2023 . Manet opens SAI, ‘historic’ achievement for Kingdom . The Phnom Penh Post.
  7. News: Beech . Hannah . Dean . Adam . 2019-12-22 . A Jungle Airstrip Stirs Suspicions About China’s Plans for Cambodia . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-03-10 . 0362-4331.
  8. Web site: Taylor . Jeremy Page . Lubold . Gordon . Taylor . Rob . 2019-07-22 . Deal for Naval Outpost in Cambodia Furthers China’s Quest for Military Network . 2023-03-10 . WSJ . en-US.
  9. Web site: Foulkes . John . Wang . Howard . 2019-08-14 . China’s Future Naval Base in Cambodia and the Implications for India . 2023-03-09 . Jamestown . en-US.
  10. Poling . Gregory B. . Dunst . Charles . Hudes . Simon Tran . 2022-06-14 . Pariah or Partner? Clarifying the U.S. Approach to Cambodia . en.
  11. Web site: Cambodia, China and the Dara Sakor Problem. 2022-01-23. thediplomat.com. en-US.
  12. News: 2020-09-15. U.S. imposes sanctions on Chinese firm over Cambodia project. en. Reuters. 2022-01-23.