Cambodia’s former Pochentong International Airport in Phnom Penh will be transformed into a public park named Pochentong Park, while selected buildings could be leased to generate revenue for the state and help cover maintenance costs, Prime Minister Hun Manet said on September 16, 2026.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Queen Mother Hospital in Phnom Penh, Hun Manet said the government would not sell the former airport property. Instead, the site will remain a state asset while parts of the existing infrastructure may be given new uses.
Key Facts About Pochentong International Airport
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Former airport | Pochentong International Airport, later known as Phnom Penh International Airport |
| Location | Phnom Penh, Cambodia |
| Historical role | Cambodia’s principal air gateway for decades and a major entry point to the country since the 1950s |
| Airport inauguration | Officially inaugurated as Pochentong International Airport on January 19, 1959 |
| Earlier aviation history | The site was used as an airfield before the modern airport was developed, with civil aviation development accelerating after Cambodia gained independence |
| Historical structures | Terminal building and control tower constructed in the 1950s, plus VIP passenger areas, aircraft parking areas and sections of the runway |
| Original runway | Approximately 1,800 metres, later extended to 3,000 metres |
| Airport name change | Renamed Phnom Penh International Airport in 2003 |
| Last commercial operations | Commercial operations ended when flights transferred to Techo International Airport in September 2025 |
| New airport | Techo International Airport became Phnom Penh’s new international gateway on September 9, 2025 |
| Techo Airport location | More than 2,600 hectares across Kandal and Takeo provinces, approximately 20 km from Phnom Penh |
| Ownership | State property |
| New use | Public park to be named Pochentong Park |
| Possible commercial use | Selected buildings could be leased to government ministries or institutions |
| Annual maintenance cost | About US$4 million, according to Hun Manet’s latest statement |
| Public access trial | The former airport was opened temporarily from April 11 to 19, 2026 during Khmer New Year |
| Visitors during trial opening | Approximately 15,000 people visited on the first day |
PM Hun Manet Rules Out Selling the Former Airport
Hun Manet said the government intends to retain ownership of the former airport rather than sell the property.
“We will never sell it, but we need to draw revenue from the old airport,”
The Prime Minister said some existing buildings could be used by government ministries and institutions through lease arrangements, creating a source of income for the state.
He said the revenue would help maintain the property.
“The maintenance itself costs about $4 million a year, so we cannot just leave it empty,”
The announcement establishes a model in which the site can remain publicly owned while selected facilities generate income to support its long term upkeep.
From Pochentong Airport to Pochentong Park
The proposed transformation marks the end of the site's nearly seven decade role as Phnom Penh's main international airport.
The modern Pochentong airport was inaugurated on January 19, 1959. It later became known as Phnom Penh International Airport and remained the capital's principal aviation gateway until commercial operations moved to Techo International Airport in September 2025.
The airport's history is closely connected with Cambodia's post independence development. Historical accounts describe Pochentong as an important part of the country's civil aviation system from the 1950s, while the site itself had been used for aviation activities before the construction of the modern airport.
Its infrastructure also reflects different periods of Cambodia's aviation history. The terminal and control tower constructed in the 1950s remain among the site's historically significant structures.
A Site With Historical and Public Value
The former airport is more than a piece of unused infrastructure.
During its decades of operation, Pochentong served generations of Cambodian travellers and international visitors and became one of Phnom Penh's most recognisable gateways.
Prime Minister Hun Manet has previously said the property should be preserved because of its historical importance. Earlier plans included maintaining parts of the existing infrastructure and potentially using some buildings for public or cultural purposes.
The government's decision to retain the property as state land also means that the former airport will continue to have a public function even after its aviation role has ended.
The Site Has Already Tested Its Public Park Potential
The conversion into a public space is not entirely new.
During the Khmer New Year holiday in April 2026, the former airport was temporarily opened to the public for nine days. Around 15,000 people visited on the first day, with visitors able to explore historically significant areas including the terminal building, control tower, VIP passenger zones, aircraft parking areas and sections of the runway.
The temporary opening also included Khmer cultural performances and outdoor activities, providing an early indication of how the former aviation site could function as a public recreational area.
The experience gives authorities an existing reference point as they consider the permanent Pochentong Park concept.
What Happens to the Existing Buildings?
The latest announcement does not provide a detailed master plan for Pochentong Park.
However, Hun Manet indicated that selected buildings could be leased or used by ministries and government institutions. This suggests that the future site may combine open public spaces with retained and repurposed structures.
The approach could allow historically important buildings to remain part of the site while other facilities contribute revenue toward maintenance.
At this stage, the government has not publicly detailed the final park layout, landscaping programme, individual building uses, management structure or permanent public opening arrangements.
From Cambodia's Old Gateway to Its New Aviation Era
The transformation is taking place alongside one of Cambodia's largest recent changes in aviation infrastructure.
Techo International Airport began operations on September 9, 2025, following the closure of Phnom Penh International Airport at Pochentong. The new airport is located approximately 20 kilometres from Phnom Penh and occupies more than 2,600 hectares across Kandal and Takeo provinces.
The new airport was designed as a large scale 4F international facility capable of handling long haul aircraft, including Airbus A380 and Boeing 747 aircraft.
This effectively allows Pochentong to take on a different role within the capital while Techo International Airport becomes the country's principal aviation gateway for Phnom Penh.
Why Pochentong Park Matters for Phnom Penh?
The redevelopment could provide Phnom Penh with a substantial new public space while preserving an important part of the city's modern history.
For residents, the former airport could provide space for recreation, exercise, community activities and cultural events. For the government, retaining the property avoids disposing of a historically significant state asset while creating an opportunity to give the site a new economic and social function.
The proposed leasing arrangement also addresses a practical issue: a large former airport requires continuous spending for security, infrastructure, buildings and grounds maintenance.
Rather than leaving the property unused, the government is proposing a model in which some parts generate revenue while the wider site serves the public.
Angkor Times Analysis
Pochentong's transformation represents a significant shift from transport infrastructure to urban public space.
The most important element of the latest announcement is that the government is combining public ownership with selected revenue generating uses. That could provide a way to preserve the site while reducing the financial burden of maintaining a large former airport.
Its history also gives the project a dimension beyond urban redevelopment. The terminal, control tower and other remaining structures provide physical links to Cambodia's aviation development, making preservation an important consideration as the park takes shape.
The next stage will be the release of a clearer master plan. Details about which structures will be preserved, how much land will become open parkland, how buildings will be used and how the site will be managed will determine the final character of Pochentong Park.
For Phnom Penh, the project could ultimately turn a former gateway to the country into a new destination within the capital itself.
What Happens Next?
The government has confirmed the broad direction, but important implementation details remain to be announced.
Key issues to watch include:
- The final master plan for Pochentong Park.
- Which historic buildings will be preserved.
- Which buildings could be leased to ministries or institutions.
- The amount of space dedicated to public recreation.
- The management and maintenance structure.
- The permanent schedule for public access.
- How the site's aviation history will be presented to future visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will happen to the old Pochentong Airport?
Prime Minister Hun Manet said the former airport will be transformed into a public park named Pochentong Park.
Will the government sell the former airport?
No. Hun Manet said the government will retain the property as a state asset.
Why could some buildings be leased?
The Prime Minister said leasing selected buildings could generate revenue to help pay for the site's maintenance.
How much does maintaining the former airport cost?
Hun Manet cited approximately US$4 million per year in his September 16, 2026 statement.
When did Pochentong Airport begin operating?
The modern airport was officially inaugurated on January 19, 1959 under the name Pochentong International Airport.
When did commercial flights leave Pochentong?
Commercial airport operations ended in September 2025 as flights moved to Techo International Airport.
What historic structures remain at the old airport?
The site includes the terminal building and control tower constructed in the 1950s, along with VIP passenger areas, aircraft parking areas and sections of the runway.
Has the public already visited the site as a park?
Yes. The former airport opened temporarily to the public from April 11 to 19, 2026, during Khmer New Year. Approximately 15,000 people visited on the first day.