Chinese-invested airport has 'smooth' 1st year in Cambodia

SIEM REAP, Cambodia — A Chinese-invested airport in Cambodia has handled more than 14,000 flights with 1.3 million passengers in its first year, the operator said on Wednesday.

The figures were released as Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, or SAI, celebrated its anniversary.

During the event, Mao Havannall, minister in charge of Cambodia's State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, praised the airport operator for delivering quality service, enhancing passenger experiences and contributing to socioeconomic growth, national heritage protection and green development.

"The SAI has not only contributed to the development of the civil aviation industry in Cambodia, but also helped boost the nation's economic growth and tourism, as well as attract investment," Havannall said.

The airport was the fruit of Cambodia-China's close cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, which has accelerated Cambodia's progress in key areas such as trade, tourism and logistics, he said.

The airport, invested by Angkor International Airport Investment (Cambodia), an affiliate of China's Yunnan Investment Holdings, has run smoothly since its launch, said Liu Minglin, vice-chairman of Yunnan Investment Holdings.

"As a landmark project under the BRI cooperation between China and Cambodia, the SAI has drawn much attention," Liu said. "We will further explore investment opportunities in Cambodia in cultural tourism, park development, aviation logistics and renewable energy."

The SAI is Cambodia's largest airport and serves as the main gateway to the Angkor Archaeological Park.

Xinhua