KANDAL, Cambodia, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- One year since its opening, Cambodia's Techo International Airport (TIA) has solidified its role as a vital global gateway. Serving the capital Phnom Penh, the aviation hub is successfully bridging the Southeast Asian nation with the rest of the world, earning high praise from international travelers.
For first-time visitors, the airport provides a striking introduction to the country. Gonzalo, a traveler from Spain, said that a modern aviation hub is essential for boosting international appeal.
"A beautiful place like Cambodia deserves more visitors, and the new airport makes it easier for them to arrive, which I see as a very positive thing," he said, adding that the infrastructure will undoubtedly attract more tourists.
Passengers transferring from older facilities have noticed an immediate upgrade in scale and quality. Lothar, a traveler arriving from Australia, described the airport as "beautiful, great, and really cool," noting that it represents a massive leap forward compared to the city's previous airport.
"I've just arrived, so my first impression is that it's huge and brand new; it also seems easy to navigate and very efficient," he said.
Beyond aesthetics, TIA offers major logistical advantages for passengers by optimizing travel routes.
Cambodian passenger Kuoch Pheap highlighted how the hub streamlines international transit by eliminating unnecessary layovers.
"The facilities here are much larger than before, making landings more convenient," he said. "Crucially, it boosts the tourism industry by enabling more foreign visitors to come to Cambodia and experience our culture."
As the country's primary entry point, the airport also plays a vital role in shaping national identity and tourism branding.
"TIA is the first thing people see, so it serves as the face our country presents to foreign visitors," Cambodian passenger Ly Limheng said.
Located just over 20 km from Phnom Penh, the landmark project was built by the China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Group Co., Ltd.
Reflecting on the hub's first anniversary since commencing operations on Sept. 9, 2025, Ouyang Wei, the company's operations and maintenance project manager at TIA, said the airport has rapidly established itself as a vital global gateway.
"Throughout this first year of operations, we have remained diligent in inspecting facilities and equipment and carrying out maintenance," he said. "By ensuring the safe and stable functioning of all systems, we have provided the necessary support for the airport's smooth operation."
For Ouyang, contributing to both the construction and day-to-day management of TIA highlights a fundamental truth: the true value of any mega-infrastructure project lies in its long-term endurance and societal impact rather than just its completion.
"Undertaking infrastructure projects overseas involves more than just exporting construction expertise," he explained. "It is about growing alongside local teams and collaboratively solving problems during long-term operations, thereby enabling the project to better integrate with and serve the local community."
Sinn Chanserey Vutha, the secretary of state and spokesperson for Cambodia's State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, said that TIA has successfully cemented its position as the nation's principal international aviation gateway.
As a premier 4F-class airport, TIA is fully engineered to accommodate the world's largest long-haul commercial aircraft, including the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747, he noted.
"The infrastructure is now fully in place. Our next mission is to maximize its potential by connecting Cambodia to more cities and greater economic opportunities," he said. ■
