PHNOM PENH: The construction of Techo International Airport is now over 50 percent complete for the first phase and is expected to be put into operation in 2025.

The update was shared by H.E. Sin Chansereivutha, Under Secretary of State at the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, adding that the entire first phase will be completed next year.

Once the first phase is completed, the Techo International Airport will be able to welcome large aircraft with 32 parking lots, accommodate from 13 million to 15 million passengers a year, and handle 175,000 tonnes of air cargo annually by 2024, he stressed.

Encompassing 2,600 hectares in Takhmao town and Kandal Stung district of Kandal province and Bati district of Takeo province, the airport construction was estimated to cost around US$1,500 million.

The Royal Government is also building new international airports in Siem Reap province to be completed in 2023 and in Koh Kong province to be put into operation soon.

The construction of airports in the provinces of Mondulkiri, Banteay Meanchey, and Battambang is in the pipeline as well.