One Year of Techo International Airport: Impact on Phnom Penh Property

For decades, Phnom Penh International Airport was Cambodia’s main gateway to the capital. That changed in September 2025, when commercial flights moved to Techo International Airport, putting Phnom Penh’s southern outskirts under a new spotlight.

One year later, the airport has gained international recognition and strengthened Cambodia’s aviation infrastructure. New road connections, planned commercial developments and investment in the surrounding area are also raising a bigger question for the property market: 

Could the next phase of Phnom Penh’s growth move further south?

There are reasons to watch the area, but infrastructure investment does not guarantee property price growth. The key is understanding which locations are developing, what types of demand they may attract, and how much of that growth has already been reflected in property prices.

Techo International Airport: One Year of Operations

Techo International Airport began commercial operations on 9 September 2025 and was officially inaugurated on 20 October 2025. Located around 20 kilometres south of central Phnom Penh, the airport occupies approximately 2,600 hectares in Kandal province.

The first phase was developed with an investment of about US$2.3 billion by Cambodia Airport Investment Co., a joint venture between Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC) and the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation.

Key features include:

• Passenger capacity: Designed to handle around 13 million passengers annually in its first phase.
• Runway: A 4-kilometre runway capable of accommodating large aircraft, including the Airbus A380.
• International recognition: In 2026, the airport received recognition from Skytrax and Prix Versailles for its terminal and architecture.
• Further investment: In June 2026, the US International Development Finance Corporation’s board approved a proposed US$100 million financing package for the airport, subject to further steps before it could take effect. Read more about the US$100 million financing.

However, passenger growth has not been straightforward. Cambodia’s aviation sector faced softer passenger traffic in the first half of 2026, while air cargo continued to grow. The distinction matters: stronger cargo activity could support logistics and commercial development, but it does not automatically translate into demand for nearby homes.

For more background, read how Techo International Airport could affect Cambodia’s economy.

Why the Airport Could Shift Attention South

The airport is part of a wider change in Phnom Penh’s southern transport network. Roads connecting the capital to the airport, including the route from Hun Sen Boulevard, are improving access to areas in Phnom Penh and Kandal province.

This creates potential opportunities for different property types. Residential areas may appeal to families looking for more space, while locations near major roads could attract retail, showrooms, warehouses and other commercial uses.

The airport’s planned wider development also includes commercial and support facilities. But the pace of development will depend on infrastructure delivery, business demand and how quickly the surrounding area becomes more established.

READ MORE: Top 5 Infrastructure Projects Changing A Nation

Four Areas to Watch Near Techo International Airport

The airport’s influence will not always be the same. Each area has a different role in Phnom Penh’s wider growth.

1. Mean Chey and Dangkao: Established Residential Areas

Parts of Mean Chey and Dangkao, including areas connected to Hun Sen Boulevard, already have residential communities and borey developments. These areas may appeal to local families and first-time buyers seeking landed homes with road access to the capital and the airport.

Unlike undeveloped land farther out, established residential neighbourhoods offer existing services and communities. Buyers should still compare commute times, nearby amenities and road conditions rather than assuming every property benefits equally from the airport.

Explore boreys for sale in Phnom Penh.

2. Ta Khmau: Housing and Everyday Commercial Demand

Ta Khmau, the provincial capital of Kandal, sits south of Phnom Penh and along routes connecting the capital with the airport. The area offers a mix of houses, villas, shophouses and land.

For buyers, Ta Khmau may be worth considering when comparing living space and prices with central Phnom Penh. Its longer-term appeal will depend on transport access, local services and whether employment and commercial activity grow alongside the airport.

Explore properties in Ta Khmau.

3. Ring Road 3 and the 60-Metre Road: Commercial Potential

Major roads can create opportunities for businesses that need visibility, access and space. Around the Ring Road 3 junction and the 60-metre road, developments such as TIA City are targeting uses including car showrooms and brand display spaces.

These locations may be more relevant to commercial property buyers and businesses than to people looking for a central residential address. However, investors should check actual occupancy, traffic, access and nearby business activity before treating a roadside location as a strong investment.

Read more: What’s Being Built Around Techo International Airport? Property Projects Shaping Cambodia’s Next Growth Corridor

Are Property Prices Already Rising Near the Airport?

The airport has increased attention on southern Phnom Penh and parts of Kandal, but it is too early to conclude that proximity alone is driving property prices upward.

Listing prices can vary significantly by location, road frontage, title, infrastructure and property type. Land along a major road may command a different price from land on a smaller road, even within the same district. Similarly, a completed home in an established community should not be compared directly with undeveloped land in a planned growth area.

Realestate.com.kh (the leading real estate agency here in Cambodia)’s listing data can help buyers compare asking prices across areas. The figures should be checked against current listings before publication and treated as asking prices, not confirmed transaction values.

For a more useful comparison, buyers should look at:

• Property type: Compare land with land, houses with houses, and commercial sites with similar commercial properties.
• Access: Check the condition of connecting roads and the actual travel time to key destinations.
• Development status: Separate completed projects from proposed or early-stage developments.
• Legal ownership: Verify the title, registered owner and any restrictions or encumbrances.
• Demand: Look for evidence of residents, tenants or operating businesses—not just announcements about future projects.

The airport may support long-term growth in some locations, but buyers should not rely on airport proximity alone as an investment strategy.

What About Phnom Penh’s Old Airport?

The closure of the former Phnom Penh International Airport in September 2025 also changed the outlook for Por Sen Chey district.

Authorities have discussed plans for the approximately 386-hectare site, including public green space and a possible logistics role. Concepts for a “sponge city park” would use green areas to help manage rainwater, while other proposals have considered logistics activity linked to Cambodia’s transport network.

The site’s future could affect surrounding neighbourhoods, but the final plans and implementation timeline matter more than early announcements.

Read about plans for the old Phnom Penh airport.

Final Thoughts

One year after Techo International Airport began operations, its importance to Cambodia’s transport network is clear. Its effect on property, however, will depend on more than the airport itself.

Road access, completed infrastructure, business activity and genuine housing demand will help determine which areas benefit. For buyers, the most useful approach is to compare specific locations and properties carefully instead of assuming that every area near the airport will experience the same growth.

Looking for property in Phnom Penh or Kandal? Explore current listings on Realestate.com.kh and compare properties based on your budget, location and plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When did Techo International Airport open in Cambodia?

Techo International Airport began commercial operations on 9 September 2025 and held its official inauguration on 20 October 2025.

2. How far is Techo International Airport from Phnom Penh?

Techo International Airport is approximately 20 kilometres south of central Phnom Penh. Travel time depends on your starting point, route and traffic conditions.

3. Which areas near Techo International Airport are worth watching for property?

Areas to watch include Mean Chey and Dangkao in southern Phnom Penh, Ta Khmau, Ring Road 3 and Kandal Stueng. Each offers different opportunities, from residential properties and land to commercial and logistics developments. Actual potential depends on infrastructure, local demand and project progress.

4. Is buying property near Techo International Airport a good investment?

It may offer long-term opportunities as transport links and surrounding developments progress. However, airport proximity alone does not guarantee property appreciation or rental demand. Buyers should compare current prices, access, title status, nearby amenities and evidence of actual development before making a decision.

5. Can foreigners buy land near Techo International Airport in Cambodia?

Foreign individuals cannot directly own land in Cambodia in their own names. However, foreigners may be able to acquire a beneficial interest in land through a properly structured and registered trust managed by a licensed trustee. This differs from direct land ownership, and the legal structure should be reviewed by an independent Cambodian property lawyer before purchase. Learn how property trusts work in Cambodia.