Southeast Asia’s newest major airport is both an architectural marvel and a milestone for a nation on an upward trajectory.

Left to right: The undulating roof of the airport terminal; natural light fills the building’s interior. (Photos: Nigel Young / Foster + Partners)

Until recently, travelers flying in or out of Phnom Penh passed through a modest airport stretched to full capacity, its aging facilities unable to keep pace with the booming Cambodian capital. No longer.

After seven years of construction, the US$2 billion Techo International Airport opened in September as the country’s bold new gateway. Built on reclaimed farmland about 25 kilometers south of Phnom Penh, the twin-runway facility boasts almost three times the passenger capacity of its predecessor, with a state-of-the-art terminal building by Foster + Partners that combines sleek, sophisticated lines with ample greenery and Cambodian cultural elements. The feel is almost resort-like.

Under an undulating skylighted roof supported by structural “trees”—a nod to the jungle canopy—vaulted lattice ceilings filter soft daylight into a vast departure hall. A nine-meter-tall bronze Buddha greets travelers amid a palette of warm metallics and vertical gardens highlighted by endemic flora. Adding to the sense of calm is Birds Fly by Flapping Their Wings, a bamboo-and-rattan installation by Cambodian-American artist Sopheap Pich that rises next to an outlet of local roasters Brown Coffee. For extra serenity, there’s a gate-side spa.

Fliers have plenty of bars and eateries to choose from. The Gourmet Gallery food court dishes up hawker-style fare, while a branch of Phnom Penh’s lauded Malis restaurant revives Cambodian recipes lost during the Khmer Rouge era.

Beyond the user experience, there’s a strong emphasis on sustainability, with much of the airport’s energy needs generated by an on-site solar farm. The sprawling 2,600-hectare complex can accommodate Airbus A380s and cater to 13 million passengers per year—a number that will rise to 50 million by 2050, when the last of the airport’s three phases is completed. With all that space, Techo looks set to be a game changer for Cambodia.

The terminal’s distinctive roof recalls a jungle canopy.

This article originally appeared in the December 2025/February 2026 print issue of DestinAsian magazine (“Ready for Takeoff”). Buy a single issue or subscribe here.

Take a Look Inside Techo International Airport

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