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Cambodia’s new $2 billion airport opens with nature-themed architecture and a giant golden Buddha statue

Techo International Airport replaces the old Phnom Penh International Airport

Joycelyn Yeow
Written by
Joycelyn Yeow
Senior Lifestyle Writer
Techo International Airport
Photograph: Foster and Partners
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Say farewell to Phnom Penh International Airport and welcome Cambodia’s brand-new Techo International Airport, which officially opened in September 2025. The $2 billion mega-project is a collaboration between the Cambodian government and Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation, and artfully designed by acclaimed British architecture firm Foster + Partners.

Spanning a massive 2,600 hectares, the airport is projected to handle up to 13 million passengers annually, with ambitious plans to scale to 50 million by 2050.

One of its most striking features, as seen in travellers’ videos online, is the giant golden Buddha statue at the heart of the terminal – an instant photo spot for tourists before they jet off. Adding to the sense of calm, rows of lush greenery line the concourse, as part of the airport’s aim to be one of the greenest in the world. In fact, the terminal is said to be powered almost entirely by an onsite solar farm.

Architecturally, the airport is topped with a single sweeping canopy roof supported by structural trees made of lightweight steel, filtering daylight to flood the terminal with natural light. Foster + Partners notes that the interiors were crafted to reinterpret the Cambodian vernacular in a contemporary way, with warm-toned palettes adding a welcoming glow.

Beyond the gates, you will find a wide mix of duty-free shops, from snacks and spirits to Cambodian souvenirs, so you can grab a final memento before boarding.

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