New Siem Reap City Development Plan Unveiled
AKP Phnom Penh, October 28, 2020 --

Ministry of Tourism has unveiled plan to establish a new Siem Reap city – Grand Siem Reap –, located near the under-construction new Siem Reap Airport in Sotr Nikum district, Siem Reap province.

The new city, part of Siem Reap Tourism Development Master Plan, will be developed into a Smart City, but the city will be designed following Khmer architecture, said H.E. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism, after a recapitulative meeting here on Monday afternoon.

"The establishment of Grand Siem Reap is to support the old city of Siem Reap which cannot accommodate high-rise buildings or constructions that can affect cultural heritage," he explained.

However, the specific date for the project to begin has not been unveiled. H.E. Thong Khon said a working team is studying the project in detail.

Scores of 20 major investment projects have been proposed in the Siem Reap Tourism Development Master Plan 2020-2035.

Regarding the plan, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport is going to build 38 roads in Siem Reap to enhance the economy and beauty of the province, as well as to help connect the city centre to rural areas. The groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the 38 roads is scheduled for mid-November under the presidency of Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HE.
- AKP

Construction of New Airport in Siem Reap Province 35 Percent Completed
AKP Phnom Penh, December 25, 2020—

The construction of New Angkor International Airport now has achieved 35 percent since the groundbreaking on Mar. 15 this year, and it is scheduled to complete by 2023.

The update was shared by H.E. Mao Havannall, Minister in charge of State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) when inspecting the construction site of the new Angkor International Airport recently, according to Angkor International Airport Investment (Cambodia) Co., Ltd.

H.E. Mao Havannall appreciated the Angkor International Airport Investment (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. for ensuring the construction process despite some challenges.

He added that by 2023, the new airport will bring in more tourists and contribute positively to the household economy of the locals as well as Cambodia’s growth at large.

The new international airport is located 51 kilometres to the southeast of Siem Reap provincial city and covers an area of about 700 hectares.

The entire project includes the construction of new 4E runways, taxiways, airside stations, new terminal buildings, airport ancillary projects, and supporting facilities such as municipal and special highways.

The first phase of the project will allow accommodation capacity for about 7 million passengers, and a long-term plan will allow the handling capacity of 20 million passengers.
- AKP

First floor completed:

Over 40 Percent of New Airport at Siem Reap Completed
AKP Phnom Penh, May 12, 2021 --

The construction of the new Siem Reap Angkor International Airport was 42 percent completed, despite some interruption caused by COVID-19.

Spokesman and Secretary of State of the Secretariat of Civil Aviation of Cambodia, H.E. Sin Chansereyvutha shared the update with the National Radio of Cambodia (RNK), stressing that the progress is well on schedule regardless of the pandemic threat.

The project, run by the Chinese developer (AIAI) Angkor International Airport Investment (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. has completed the construction of the airport buildings, the aircraft landing, and key operation facilities.
- AKP

This timeline is not new, but it does list some of the investors that have been or are now involved in the SRNIA, so may be of interest.

Siem Reap New International Airport
New Airport
Completion: in 2 years (14-Mar-2023)
IATA: n/a
ICAO: n/a
City: Siem Reap
Country/Territory: Cambodia
Ownership

Owner/investor:
NSIA Company
Investment (USD):
1,000,000,000

Capacity

Annual (pax):
10,000,000

About

Siem Reap New International Airport (also known as the NSRIA project) is a proposed airport development to replace the existing Siem Reap Airport. A site 50km away from the existing facility has been designated by the government, which seeks to protect a World Heritage Site that includes Angkor Wat. The project has been a subject of discussion since 2010, with the government selecting Yunnan Investment Holdings Limited as the principal developer in Dec-2016. It is estimated to have a maximum handling capacity of 10 million passengers p/a, with construction scheduled to commence in late 2017 or early 2018 and is expected to last up to five years.

Jul-2018. Yunnan Investment Holdings VP Zou Yuhui stated construction on Siem Reap New International Airport will likely commence after Cambodia's national elections at the end of Jul-2018. The airport is expected to cost up to USD1 billion and will be located on a 750ha site in Sotr Nikom district. Yunnan Investment Holdings plans to develop the airport in three stages, with the airport capable of handling Boeing 737 and A320 aircraft following completion of the second stage.

Aug-2017.

18-Aug-2017. Cambodia Government signed a USD880 million contract with Yunnan Investment Holdings for the later to develop Siem Reap New International Airport. Land clearance are currently underway with construction scheduled to commence in 2018.

16-Aug-2017. Yunnan Investment Holdings plans to commence constructing Siem Reap New International Airport in 2018. The airport will be constructed in three phases over a three year period.

Feb-2017. Cambodia State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) received the full proposal for Siem Reap New International Airport development project from awarded contractor Yunnan Investment Holdings Ltd. Provincial governor Kim Bunsong said the new infrastructure will have capacity for 10 million passengers p/a but development cost remains unconfirmed. Construction are scheduled to commence in late 2017 or early 2018 and is expected to last up to five years.

Dec-2016. Cambodia government decided to reassign a USD88 million contract to develop a new international airport 50km outside of Siem Reap from Cambodia Airports to Yunnan Investment Holdings Ltd (YIHL). The government is required to compensate Cambodia Airports for ending its concession prematurely. A committee was formed, headed by Cambodia Senior Minister Yim Nola, to negotiate with Cambodia Airports the terms and value for compensation which will be paid by YIHL, "though it will not be disbursed until the new airport starts operations." The new airport is expected to replace the existing Siem Reap Airport for fear aircraft noise may affect Angkor Wat and other neighbouring Bayon temples.

Aug-2016. Cambodia Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol stated the government is seeking Chinese investment to construct a new airport and an expressway. The Minister said, “We proposed the Chinese side to support the construction of a new airport in Siem Reap province”. He further noted, “We asked China to provide concessional loans to Cambodia for the rehabilitation of existing railways and for the study and development of new railroads from Poipet City to Siem Reap province and from Siem Reap province to Phnom Penh capital”.

Mar-2011. Cambodia's New Siem Reap International Airport Co – led by two Korean firms Lees A&A and its financial partner Cambodia Airport Co – is working on a project for the construction of a new international airport 40km east of Angkor Wat, at a cost of USD500 million. The airport will have one runway and a terminal on a site as large as 5sqkm, and the ability to handle 3 million passengers p/a. The new airport is expected to commence operation in late-2015 when the adjacent old airport will be closed.

Sep-2010. Council for the Development of Cambodia has approved plans for the construction of a new USD1 billion international airport in Siem Reap. The project still awaits final approval from Prime Minister, HE. The USD1 billion investment will come from NSIA Company, a joint venture owned by Camco Airport Company and Lees A&A Company.
https://centreforaviation.com/data/prof ... al-airport

Construction of Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport to Achieve 70 Percent in 2022
AKP Phnom Penh, January 27, 2022 --

The construction of Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport is estimated to achieve 70 percent by the close of this year.

The update was shared by H.E. Tekreth Samrach, Delegate Minister attached to the Prime Minister and Secretary of State of the Office of the Council of Ministers and Chairman of Orientation in a meeting in Siem Reap province on Jan. 25.

H.E. Tea Seiha, Governor of Siem Reap province considered the construction another major achievement resulted by the fostered cooperation between Cambodia and China in line with the Royal Government's Rectangular Strategy and the China's One Belt, One Road initiative.

According to Mr. Lu Wei, Chairman of Angkor International Airport Investment (Cambodia) Co., Ltd., 2022 will be a busy construction year and the preparation for the project's initial operation.

With an estimated total investment of around US$880 million, the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport is expected to officially run in 2023, he added.

The new international airport is located 51 kilometres to the southeast of Siem Reap provincial city, encompassing about 700 hectares of land surface.

The entire project includes the construction of new 4E runways, taxiways, airside stations, new terminal buildings, airport ancillary projects, and supporting facilities such as municipal and special highways.

The first phase of the project's operation is expected to handle 7 million of passengers per year, and the complete infrastructure will allow the capacity of serving 20 million passengers annually.

Currently, Cambodia has three operational international airports and other three new airports including the Siem Reap one are under construction.
AKP
Article in Khmer by Khuth Sao
Article in English by Lim Nary

In Cambodia’s Siem Reap, $880m airport faces hurdles to success
Ambitious plan to attract 10 million travellers is complicated by broken contracts and an uncertain pandemic recovery.

Siem Reap Airport site
Siem Reap's new airport aims to attract 10 million travellers a year by 2030 [Courtesy of Danielle Keeton-Olsen]
By Danielle Keeton-Olsen
Published On 16 Feb 2022

Siem Reap, Cambodia – Down a dirt road in Cambodia’s Siem Reap province, behind homes and a few sundry shops, construction teams are busy working to transform an empty rice field into an international airport capable of handling 10 million travellers by 2030.

The Cambodian government has touted the Chinese-developed Angkor International Airport project as a boon for the province’s tourism industry, which was suffering from declining numbers of visitors even before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Authorities have also promoted the $880m airport, located about 50km (31 miles) from Siem Reap city, as a way of protecting the world-famous tourist attraction Angkor Wat, which suffers from noise pollution caused by the existing airport nearby.

The project’s developer has promised to build a highway and commercial complex in addition to the airport, as part of a push to attract millions of visitors to the region each year.

The ambitious plan, however, faces an array of significant obstacles, from broken contracts to an uncertain post-pandemic recovery.

Though construction was slowed by pandemic-related logistics issues, Sinn Chanserey Vutha, spokesperson for Cambodia’s Civil Aviation Secretariat, said the firm Angkor International Airport Investment was aiming to start airport operations by March 2023, with imminent plans to bring in a team to carry out advanced construction work and begin the transition away from the province’s old airport.

“The Chinese [teams] are huge, the Chinese have a lot of resources, they’re trying to add a lot of resources to the site,” Chanserey Vutha told Al Jazeera.

Angkor International Airport Investment could not be reached for comment, but Chinese state-owned Yunnan Investment Group, which is backing the investment, in December urged its Cambodia-based counterparts to speed up the construction and meet the deadline to open the runway by March 2023.
Article: https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2022/ ... %20%24990m

Another belt road white elephant dept trap, built by Chinese companies and Chinese labor.

UPDATE

March 31, 2022
Siem Reap-Angkor airport 22 percent construction completed
Sok Sithika / Khmer Times
Nearly 22 percent of the construction activities at the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport have been completed, said Sin ChanSerey Vutha, State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) spokesman. Some of the construction activities included roads, airplane parking routes, runways, and airplane landing systems, Vutha told Khmer Times.

He said about 20 percent of the construction of the terminal infrastructure had been completed.

“The new airport, belonging to the 4E-level international airport category, has been built on more than 700 hectares. In the future, AIAI will have a special economic zone or industry zone with this new international airport. The Airport City has a reserve of approximately 1000 hectares and will also have an expressway from the central province to the airport,” Vutha said.

“The spread of the Covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected the airport’s construction, including the shortage of technicians and experts. They found it difficult to travel to Cambodia during the period. Moreover, there were difficulties in the supply chain and faced challenges in transport, equipment supplies, and prices,” he added.

Meanwhile, according to a press release from the SSCA, Angkor International Airport investment (Cambodia) (AIAI) revised calculating the results achieved in construction so far.

According to revised estimates, the construction work of the airport as of February 28, 2022, accounted for 22 percent, and 50 percent of the budget.

As per AIAI estimates, the airport’s construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2023 and is scheduled to be tested in October 2023.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501050097/ ... completed/