$21 million to expand Sihanouk airport's runway

$21 million to expand Sihanouk airport's runway
In response to the growth in passenger numbers, Cambodia Airports, the concession holder for Cambodia’s international airports, plans to spend US$ 21 million on expanding the runway at Sihanouk International Airport, according to the Khmer Times. The runway extension begun in early 2019, following an environmental impact assessment and compliance with other relevant standards, and will be extended from its current 2,500 metres to 3,300 metres. The extension of the Sihanouk airport runway is expected to be completed in mid-2020 and it will become the longest runway in Cambodia able to accommodate large aircraft, in response to rising passenger and tourist numbers to Sihanouk province. Civil aviation spokesman Chea Aun confirmed to KHB Media that the expansion of the Sihanouk airport would enable planes large enough to undertake 12-hour flights to land there. Earlier this year, Sihanouk International Airport saw an increase in flights and the provincial seaport also brought a lot of tourists. Meanwhile, the Royal Government of Cambodia is soon to start work on the Phnom Penh-Sihanouk expressway soon, according to Minister of Tourism, HE Thong Khon.​ Preah Sihanouk province is Cambodia's primary economic tourist destination, receiving more than 2 million tourists in 2018, he added. Samdech Hun Sen previously said Sihanouk International Airport needs an expansion to be ready to welcome about 3 million tourists in the coming years. Speaking at a meeting with nearly 20,000 workers in Kandal province in late November 2018, Prime Minister Hun Sen said: "the current airport cannot respond to the highest growth after 2025, over-capacity that we would host over 12 million visitors. Therefore, Pochenthong and Siem Reap airport are incapable; Sihanouk airport has to be extended both landing zone and other facilities towards can receive 3 million passengers per year in Sihanouk for Cambodia Tourism."  
អត្ថបទដោយ: Dara