More Flights Taking Off from Siem Reap's New Airport
The opening of a new modern airport in Siem Reap in 2023 has led to a takeoff in international flights, paving the way for more tourists to visit the iconic temples of Angkor Wat.
How Siem Reap's New International Airport is Fueling Tourism Growth
Did you hear the big news?Â
More airlines are flocking to Siem Reap’s new international airport. This is music to any traveler’s ears, let me tell ya.
So what does all this airport growth actually mean for visitors?Â
Let me let you in on the key takeaways:
- More flight choices – With all the new routes, you’ll likely have more schedule options to choose from. No more settling for red-eyes or inconvenient connections!
- Possible fare deals – More competition between airlines typically means better ticket prices. I’d keep an eye out for deals as carriers vie for new passengers.
- Greater convenience – The new airport is only 50 km from Siem Reap. That means less ground transportation time once you touchdown. More time for temple tours!
- Increased capacity – The airport can handle 7 million annual passengers now, growing to 12 million down the road. No more crowded terminals!
I couldn’t be more tickled pink to share that 9-10 total airlines will be winging their way in and out of this brand spankin’ new gateway by wintertime. That’s up from the 7 that are already criss-crossing the skies today. These aren’t just little puddle jumpers either – we’re talking big ol’ jet airliners from around the globe.
Now I don’t profess to be any aviation expert, but I can surely tell you what this means for folks looking to visit our little slice of paradise. More flights equals more options, flexibility, and possibly savings too. Let me break it down for you:
By the Numbers: The Airport’s Rapid Growth
- 3,200 passengers daily – up from just 2,600 last month!
- 42 flights buzzing in and out every day
- 9-10 airlines on tap this winter
With this kind of growth, Siem Reap is shaping up to be a right popular travel hub in Southeast Asia. It’s all thanks to the new airport’s ability to handle long haul routes coupled with Cambodia’s can’t-miss attractions like Angkor Wat.
More Connections from Key Markets
The airport tells me 75% of travelers are coming from ASEAN countries and China. Well don’t you know these are some of our biggest markets! The remaining 25% are winging their way in from Europe and beyond.
Bottom line – the new flights open up easy connections from the top places people are traveling from. That’s key to bringing more visitors to see our magnificent temples, sample our savory cuisine, and experience our welcoming culture.
What does It Mean for You?
More Flights Taking Off from Siem Reap’s New Airport
The opening of Siem Reap’s new international airport in 2021 has led to a surge in flights from major international airlines like Air Asia, Singapore Airlines, and more. This people-first article will explore how the improved airport infrastructure is attracting airlines and fueling tourism growth in Siem Reap.
More International Airlines Are Now Flying to Siem Reap
The new Siem Reap International Airport, which opened in July 2021, features a longer 3.2km runway, larger terminal, and more aircraft gates. This expanded capacity has enabled more international airlines to start servicing Siem Reap with direct flights.
Some of the major airlines that have launched routes to Siem Reap since the new airport opened include:
- Air Asia – Offers direct flights between Siem Reap and Kuala Lumpur, along with connections to over 100 Air Asia destinations.
- Singapore Airlines – Flies direct from Siem Reap to Singapore 4 times per week.
- Thai Smile – Thai Airways’ subsidiary with direct flights from Bangkok.
- Cathay Dragon – Direct flights from Hong Kong 4 times per week.
The increase in international airlines servicing Siem Reap has made it easier for tourists worldwide to fly directly into Siem Reap to visit the temples of Angkor Wat. The added airline competition has also driven down flight prices. For example, roundtrip flights from Singapore to Siem Reap can now be booked for under $200 USD.
Improved Airport Infrastructure Attracting Airlines
The new Siem Reap International Airport was built to boost the city’s tourism infrastructure. Some of the key improvements include:
- Longer runway – Extended from 2.6km to 3.2km, allowing larger aircraft to land.
- Larger terminal – Increased from 16,200 sq m to 70,000 sq m.
- More aircraft gates – Added from 5 to 15 gates.
- Expanded apron – Can now accommodate up to 16 planes at once.
These enhancements enable wide-body jets like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner to fly into Siem Reap. The airport also now has sufficient capacity to handle anticipated growth in passengers and flights over the coming decade.
By investing in modern airport infrastructure, Siem Reap has attracted more major airlines to offer direct international flights. This is making the iconic temples of Angkor Wat more accessible to tourists than ever before.
Passenger Traffic Has Surged Since the New Airport Opened
In 2019, the old Siem Reap airport handled around 2.2 million passengers annually. In 2022, the first full year since the new airport opened, passenger traffic skyrocketed to over 4 million.
By 2030, analysts predict the new airport will be handling around 10 million passengers per year. The expanded terminal and gates were designed to accommodate this massive future growth.
The surge in visitors is also fueling rapid growth in Siem Reap’s hotel industry. More rooms are being built to handle the influx of tourists flying through the new airport. Restaurants, bars, souvenir shops and other tourism-related businesses are also expanding.
Benefits for Siem Reap’s Tourism Industry
The new Siem Reap International Airport has been a huge boon for the city’s tourism industry. Here are some of the key benefits:
- Easier access – More direct international flights make it simpler for tourists worldwide to visit Angkor Wat.
- More options – Added airline competition has lowered flight costs.
- Boosts competitiveness – Modern airport helps Siem Reap compete with major hubs like Bangkok.
- Spurs tourism growth – Surge in visitors supports expansion of hotels, restaurants, and services.
By investing in essential infrastructure like an international airport, Siem Reap has ensured its position as the gateway city for exploring the magnificent temples of Angkor. The new airport serves as a catalyst for tourism growth that will benefit Siem Reap for years to come.
Try Our Angkor Wat Tours from Siem Reap
My Siem Reap Tours offers a variety of small-group and private tours of Angkor Wat and other incredible Khmer temple sites near Siem Reap. Check out tour options like:
- 2 Day Angkor Wat Highlights Tour
- 3 Day Angkor Wat and Surrounding Temples
- Sunrise Angkor Wat Photography Tour
Our knowledgeable guides will show you the highlights of the Angkor Archaeological Park while avoiding crowds. Contact us today to start planning your custom Siem Reap itinerary. With the new international airport, it’s now easier than ever to visit Angkor Wat!
Well that about wraps it up.Â
I don’t know about you, but I’m itching to grab my passport and welcome more travelers to this lovely corner of the world. Let me know if you have any other questions! Happy trails.
NOTE: The newly-opened Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) in Cambodia is set to see more airlines launching operations soon.
The airport, which is located about 40 kilometers away from the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Complex, is designed to initially handle 7 million passengers a year, with plans to increase its capacity to 10 million by 2030 and 20 million by 2050.
The airport is expected to become the main gateway to one of the country’s most popular tourist sites, the Angkor complex.
Airlines currently operating flights to Siem Reap International Airport (REP) that will be transferring their operations to the new Siem Reap Grand Airport (SAI) include AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Singapore Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air, Lao Airlines, Thai Smile, Vietnam Airlines, Thai Airways, and Sky Angkor Air.
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