Phnom Penh International Airport Explained

Phnom Penh International Airport
Nativename:	Central Khmer: អាកាសយានដ្ឋានអន្តរជាតិភ្នំពេញ
Image2-Width:	250
Iata:	PNH
Icao:	VDPP
Type:	Public / Military
Operator:	VINCI Airports
City-Served:	Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Location:	Khan Pou Senchey
Elevation-M:	12
Elevation-F:	40
Metric-Elev:	yes
Coordinates:	11.5464°N 104.8439°W
Pushpin Map:	Cambodia
Pushpin Label:	PNH/VDPP
Pushpin Mark:	Airplane_silhouette.svg
Pushpin Mapsize:	200
Pushpin Map Caption:	Location of airport in Cambodia
R1-Number:	05/23
R1-Length-M:	3,000
R1-Length-F:	10,000
R1-Surface:	Asphalt concrete
Metric-Rwy:	yes
Stat1-Header:	Passenger movements
Stat1-Data:	3,976,000 201%
Stat2-Header:	Airfreight movements in tonnes
Stat3-Header:	Aircraft movements
Stat3-Data:	36,673 64%
Stat-Year:	2023
Footnotes:	www.vinci-airports.com^[1]

Phnom Penh International Airport, formerly Pochentong International Airport, is the busiest airport in Cambodia and serves as the country's main international gateway. It is Cambodia's second largest airport by area after the new Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport.^[2] It is located in the Pou Senchey District,^[3] 10km (10miles) west of Phnom Penh, the nation's capital.

History

When Japan invaded and occupied Cambodia during the World War II, they built as many as fifteen airports through the country, including on the site of the current airport. It is reported that these airports were built using slave labor. After independence from France in 1953, King Norodom Sihanouk ordered new airstrips or improvements to existing sites.^{[4] [5]}

During the Cambodian War, the airport was used extensively for airlifts of military and civilian supplies. Between October and December 1973, C-130's of the 374th Tactical Air Lift brought 3,000 tons of rice in via airlift.^{[6] [7]} After the last land and water based routes fell into the hands of the Khmer Rouge in April 1975, the airport became the sole path for supplies for Phnom Penh.^[8]

After the collapse of the Khmer Republic in 1975, Pochentong was almost completely closed to international travel, with the exception of some flights directly from Beijing. These flights consisted of cadres to train the new government, as well as some Cambodian intellectuals and diplomats who volunteered to return to the country.^[9]

In July 1995, the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) signed a concession agreement with the French–Malaysian joint venture company. The company, Société Concessionaire d'Aéroport (SCA), is 70% owned by Vinci Airports and 30% owned by Muhibbah Masteron.^{[10] [11]} In return for a 20-year concession, SCA committed to a $100 million improvement program.^[12]

In March 2011, Air France began flights to Paris via Bangkok using Airbus A340s.^{[13] [14]} The stopover changed to Ho Chi Minh City the following year. The route lasted until March 2013.^{[15] [16]}

In 2014 SCA and announced the start of the $100 million project to expand the passenger terminals at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap international airports to accommodate continued strong passenger growth.^[17] The project saw the extension of the parking lots and terminals, more check-in and immigration counters, and new baggage handling systems. Additionally, the commercial areas were enlarged to allow for more retail shops, new restaurants and food and beverage outlets, and mezzanine lounges to cater to first class and business travelers.^[18] The expansions allowed the airport to double its capacity to handle 5 million passengers a year from 2.5 million passengers.^[19]

In 2015, Cambodian opposition politician Son Chhay asked the government to rescind the concession agreement with SCA. He claimed that Cambodia "may be getting ripped off in the deal".^[20]

In 2020, SCA lost the concession for Phnom Penh (along with Siem Reap) after plans were announced to build two new airports in those locations. Vinci Airports remained as the operator of Phnom Penh Airport.^[21]

Future

See main article: Techo Takhmao International Airport.

In January 2018, the Cambodian government approved a proposal to build a new airport to serve Phnom Penh that will cost an estimated US$1.5 billion.^[22] The new international airport will replace the existing Phnom Penh International Airport, with initial plans having the facilities being constructed on partially reclaimed land adjacent to Boueng Cheung Loung, a large lake in Kandal Province about 30 kilometres south of Phnom Penh.^{[23] [24] [25] [26] [27]}

Cambodia Airport Investment, a joint venture 90 percent owned by Overseas Cambodia Investment Corporation (OCIC), one of the country's largest real estate developers, and 10 percent by the government's State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, plans to invest the $1.5 billion to construct the new airport. The OCIC will invest US$280 million, while unspecified "foreign banks" will provide US$1.1 billion in funding. The OCIC will own 90 per cent of the shares in the completed airport, with the rest going to the SSCA While the construction plans are still in the early stages of development, the 4F class airport will be capable of handling large long-haul aircraft and will reportedly cover an area of around 2,600 hectares, which would make it one of the largest airports in the world.^[28]

In 2020, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced that Phnom Penh airport would remain active after the new airport was activated, primarily serving as air freight, military, local flights, private flights and high-level visitors.^[29]

Facilities

Overview

The airport is at an elevation of above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 05/23 with an asphalt surface measuring 3000x.^{[30] [31]} The airport has two terminal buildings – one for international and one for domestic operations. Recently, it added a new facility for VIP service. The international terminal has four aerobridges built in 2003. Three more aerobridges were added during the passenger terminal expansion in 2016–2017. The airport's design capacity is 5 million people per year.

Airlines and destinations

Cargo

Statistics

Statistics for Phnom Penh International Airport^{[32] [33]} ! Year !! Total passengers !! Change from previous year !! Total aircraft movements !! Change from previous year

1998	600,000		6,000
1999	700,000		8,000
2000	800,000		9,000
2001	900,000		17,000
2002	900,000		18,000
2003	900,000		16,000
2004	1,200,000		18,000
2005	1,081,745	10%	17,035	4%
2006	1,322,267	22%	19,282	13%
2007	1,598,424	21%	20,881	9%
2008	1,691,870	6%	20,383	3%
2009	1,587,986	6%	20,352	0.15%
2010	1,673,421	6%	20,156	1%
2011	1,839,892	10%	21,365	6%
2012	2,077,282	13%	22,534	6%
2013	2,393,680	15%	26,583	18%
2014	2,665,894	12%	27,936	5%
2015	3,079,068	16%	31,409	13%
2016	3,388,553	10%	33,435	7%
2017	4,240,000	25%	41,057	23%
2018	5,423,000	28%	52,217	27%
2019	6,029,000	11%	56,018	8%
2020	1,331,000	78%	18,346	67%
2021	250,000	81%	10,173	45%
2022	1,971,000	789%	22,323	220%
2023	3,976,000	201%	36,673	64%

Ground transportation

There are a few options to transfer to or from Phnom Penh International Airport and the city. Outside the arrival hall, passengers can take a taxi provided by the Airport Taxi Association or book a ride from Grab, a ride-hailing app. In April 2018, trains operated by Royal Railway Cambodia began running express from Phnom Penh International Airport (parking area) to Phnom Penh Railway Station (City Center). Trains run every 30 minutes and the journey takes roughly 30 minutes, fare of one-way is US$2.50.^[34] There is also the city bus and an airport express bus.^[35]

Accidents and incidents

• 3 December 1973: A Douglas DC-3 XW-PHV of Air Union was reported to have crashed shortly after take-off.^[36]
• 19 January 1975 A Douglas C-47A XU-HAK, Douglas DC-3 XU-KAL of Khmer Hansa and Douglas C-47A N86AC of South East Asia Air Transport were all destroyed in a rocket attack on the airport.^{[37] [38] [39]}
• 22 February 1975: A Douglas C-47A XU-GAJ of Khmer Hansa was damaged beyond economic repair in a rocket attack.^[40]
• 10 March 1975: A Douglas DC-3 of Samaki Airlines was damaged beyond economic repair in a rocket attack.^[41]
• 11 March 1975: ADouglas DC-3 of Khmer Hansa was damaged beyond economic repair in a rocket attack.^[42]
• xx March 1975: A Vickers Viscount XW-TDN of Royal Air Lao crashed at Phnom Penh International Airport. The pilot was not qualified to fly the aircraft. All four people on board were killed.^[43] Accident aircraft also reported as XW-TFK with a date of 15 March.^[44]
• 11 April 1975: A Douglas DC-3 (possibly XW-PKT) of Sorya Airlines was hit by shrapnel shortly after take-off. The aircraft was destroyed by fire and two of the three occupants were killed.^[45] The same day, Douglas C-47B XW-TFB of Air Cambodge was damaged beyond economic repair in a rocket attack.^[46]
• 3 September 1997: Vietnam Airlines Flight 815, operated by a Tupolev Tu-134 crashed on approach to Pochentong Airport, killing 65 of the 66 passengers on board. The aircraft was entirely destroyed. The aircraft was flying from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh.^[47] The Tupolev was approaching the Phnom Penh airport runway in heavy rain from 2,000 meters; at this point the control tower ordered the pilot to attempt an approach from the west due to a wind pick-up. The crew then lost communication with the tower, and three minutes later the aircraft collided at low level with trees, damaging the left wing. The aircraft then slid 200 yards into a dry rice paddy before exploding. Pilot error was later identified as the cause of the crash; the pilot continued his landing descent from an altitude of 2,000 meters to 30 meters even though the runway was not in sight, and ignored pleas from his first officer and flight engineer to turn back. When the aircraft hit the trees, the pilot finally realized the runway was not in sight and tried to abort the approach; the flight engineer pushed for full power, but the aircraft lost control and veered left; the right engine then stalled, making it impossible to gain lift.^[48]

See also

• Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport
• Sihanouk International Airport

References

Bibliography

• De Launey, Guy (6 February 2006). "Budget flights arrive in Southeast Asia", BBC.

External links

• Phnom Penh International Airport at Cambodia International Airports website

Notes and References

1. Web site: Phnom Penh international airport report from VINCI Airports – 2023 traffic levels. . VINCI airports. 17 January 2024 . 2023.
2. Web site: Cambodia's newest and biggest airport opens in Siem Reap, the gateway to UNESCO-listed Angkor. CNN. 18 October 2023. 24 October 2023.
3. Web site: Map 12. Administrative Areas in Phnom Penh Municipality by District and Commune. Statistics Bureau of Japan. 2020-05-16.
4. Web site: The forgotten legacy of Cambodia's abandoned airports . 2024-03-06 . www.phnompenhpost.com . en.
5. Web site: 12. French Indochina/Cambodia (1945-1954) . 2024-03-06 . uca.edu . en-US.
6. Web site: Cambodian Rice Airlift – Air Mobility Command Museum . 2024-03-06 . en-US.
7. Book: Judiciary, United States Congress Senate . Relief and Rehabilitation of War Victims in Indochina: Hearings..., 93-1 . 1973 . en.
8. News: Times . Sydney H. Schanberg Special to The New York . 1975-04-08 . Rebels Overrun Outposts Near Phnom Penh Airport . 2024-03-06 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
9. Web site: mmc-admin . 2023-11-14 . Pochentong Airport . 2024-03-06 . Mapping Memories Cambodia . en-US.
10. Web site: Disclosure . 2024-03-06 . disclosures.ifc.org.
11. Web site: IFC Provides Financing for Large Cambodian Airports Project . 2024-03-06 . IFC.
12. Web site: Phnom Penh airport . 2024-03-06 . www.vinci-concessions.com . en.
13. News: After 37 Year Hiatus, Air France Resumes Flights . Voice of America . 31 March 2011 . 5 January 2023 . Sothanarith, Kong.
14. News: Signs that tourism is in for the long haul . The Phnom Penh Post . 28 March 2011 . 6 January 2023 . Finch, Steve.
15. Web site: Cambodia poised for more double-digit growth as Cambodia Angkor Air expands and Qatar Airways enters . CAPA - Centre for Aviation . 17 January 2013 . 5 January 2023.
16. News: Cambodia, France set to boost number of tourists . The Phnom Penh Post . 13 June 2019 . 5 January 2023 . Pisei, Hin.
17. Web site: Styllis . George . 24 February 2014 . $100-Million Airport Expansion Project Begins . The Cambodia Daily.
18. Web site: Meszaros . Jennifer . Cambodia Copes with Double-Digit Traffic Growth AIN . 2024-03-06 . Aviation International News.
19. Web site: Government approves plan to relocate Phnom Penh's airport . 2024-03-06 . www.phnompenhpost.com . en.
20. Web site: Airport deals in the spotlight . 2024-03-06 . www.phnompenhpost.com . en.
21. Web site: Keeton-Olsen . Danielle . In Cambodia's Siem Reap, $880m airport faces hurdles to success . 2024-03-06 . Al Jazeera . en.
22. Web site: Ratana . Uong . 18 January 2018 . Government approves plan to relocate Phnom Penh's airport . Phnom Penh Post.
23. Web site: 23 November 2020 . China's latest Phnom Penh airport deal casts doubt on Vinci's role in Cambodian aviation . 2021-02-11 . www.globalconstructionreview.com.
24. News: 23 November 2020 . China bags Cambodian airport contract in blow to French operator . 2021-02-11 . The Nikkei.
25. News: 20 October 2020 . Capital's new airport construction largely unaffected by days of deluges . 2021-02-11 . Khmer Times.
26. Web site: 16 June 2020 . New Phnom Penh Airport . 2021-02-11 . livinginasia.co.
27. News: 2 December 2019 . Construction of new Phnom Penh airport on schedule . 2021-02-11 . Bangkok Post.
28. Web site: 2023-09-04 . In Pictures: New Phnom Penh Airport more than 50% complete - Khmer Times . 2024-03-06 . en-US.
29. Web site: chivorn . 2020-06-22 . PM Hun Sen: Pochentong Airport to Continue Operation after Phnom Penh International Airport in Kandal Constructed . 2024-03-06 . FRESH NEWS . en-gb.
30. Web site: PHNOM PENH INTL. https://web.archive.org/web/20041121221220/http://www.worldaerodata.com/wad.cgi?airport=vdpp. usurped. 21 November 2004. DAFIF. World Aero Data.
31. Web site: Schedule . www.schedule-coordination.jp .
32. Web site: Airfreight Directory Search Results. AZfreight.com.
33. Web site: Traffic Data. Cambodia Airports. 2015-10-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20151005223728/http://www.cambodia-airports.aero/en/our-business/traffic-data?field_type_value=All&field_year_value=2015#anchor. 5 October 2015. dead.
34. Web site: Train from Phnom Penh Airport. Gecko Routes. 2019-04-27.
35. Web site: Access & Parking. Phnom Penh Airport.
36. Web site: XW-PHV Accident description . Aviation Safety Network . 26 August 2010.
37. Web site: XU-HAK Accident description . Aviation Safety Network . 17 August 2010.
38. Web site: XU-KAL Accident description . Aviation Safety Network . 17 August 2010.
39. Web site: N86AC Accident description . Aviation Safety Network . 17 August 2010.
40. Web site: XU-GAJ Accident description . Aviation Safety Network . 19 August 2010.
41. Web site: Hull-loss description . Aviation Safety Network . 20 August 2010.
42. Web site: Hull-loss description . Aviation Safety Network . 20 August 2010.
43. Web site: Accident description . Aviation Safety Network . 8 October 2009.
44. Web site: Vickers Viscount . BAAA/ACRO . 8 October 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060518000804/http://www.baaa-acro.com/Types%20d%27avions/Vickers%20Viscount.htm . 18 May 2006 . dmy-all .
45. Web site: Accident description . Aviation Safety Network . 21 August 2010.
46. Web site: XW-TFB Accident description . Aviation Safety Network . 21 August 2010.
47. Web site: Accident description . Aviation Safety Network . 22 October 2009.
48. Web site: VN-A120 Accident description . Aviation Safety Network . 8 May 2011.