Phnom Penh International Airport[a] (IATA: PNH, ICAO: VDPP) 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. It is located in the Pou Senchey District, 10 kilometres (5.4 NM) west of Phnom Penh, the nation's capital. Phnom Penh airport's former name was Pochentong International Airport [b]. (Chinese: 波成東).[citation needed]
hen 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 Shianouk ordered new airstrips or improvements to existing sites.
During the Cambodian War, the airport was used extensively for airlifts of military and civilian supplies. Between October and December of 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 of 1975, the airport became the sole path for supplies for Phnom Phen.
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 were comprised of cadres to train the new government, as well as some Cambodian intellectuals and diplomats who volunteered to return to the country.
In July of 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. In return for a 20-year concession, SCA committed to a $100 million improvement program.
In March 2011, Air France began flights to Paris via Bangkok using Airbus A340s. The stopover changed to Ho Chi Minh City the following year. The route lasted until March 2013.
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.
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".
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.
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