Cambodia: Phnom Penh vanishes from timetables as Krong Ta Khmau KTI takes over
The new Phnom Penh Techo International Airport is set to officially open on September 9, 2025, welcoming its first scheduled flights.
But there’s a twist that may puzzle travelers. The airport will actually carry the IATA code KTI, which stands for Krong Ta Khmau Techo International. It means that the name “Phnom Penh” disappears from timetables altogether. While airlines are expected to cross-reference KTI with the old PNH code to minimize confusion, the move is unusual for a capital city gateway. After all, Bangkok is still associated to Suvarnabhumi, Singapore to Changi, London to Heathrow, Copenhagen to Kastrup, and Washington to Dulles.
Located 30 kilometers south of the capital, the new airport is connected to Phnom Penh via the newly built Hun Sen Boulevard highway. Travel time to the city center will range between 40 minutes and 1 hour 10 minutes, depending on traffic, according to Google Maps.
Because KTI sits farther southeast than the old Phnom Penh International Airport, some routes will take longer. Driving to Sihanoukville will add about 30 minutes. On the other hand, the new location shortens the trip to Vietnam: travelers can reach Chau Doc in 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes.
Ground transport will initially be limited to taxis and app-based ride services, with fares between $10 and $20 depending on drop-off points. No bus services are listed yet by the airport, though they are expected to be introduced in the coming weeks. Tour operators may adjust transfer prices, but DMC Khiri Travel says its existing rates will remain unchanged. In the longer term, plans call for a dedicated rail link.
New airlines to come from October
Airlines have already begun updating flight tickets to reflect the new airport code, and all existing bookings remain valid.
From October, carriers will begin inaugurating new routes from Techo International, including Etihad’s nonstop service to Abu Dhabi on October 4 with its new Airbus A321LR, followed by Turkish Airlines’ debut on December 10, offering direct service with a stop in Bangkok.
The opening also promises a new passenger experience. The airport’s Phase One, designed by acclaimed British architect Norman Foster, features a main terminal and pier with 32 gates, capable of handling 13 million passengers annually. Flooded with natural light, the design incorporates gardens, an atrium with an indoor garden, and green spaces.
It will host self-service e-check-in counters, expanded lounges, 40 shops, and 25 restaurants. Impressively, the airport will run almost entirely on energy supplied by a nearby solar farm.
Currently, 28 airlines are scheduled to operate at KTI, with Bangkok as the most frequently served destination.
Top Routes from Techo International Airport (KTI)
| Rank | Destination | Weekly Flights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bangkok (BKK) | 65 |
| 2 | Guangzhou (CAN) | 46 |
| 3 | Kuala Lumpur (KUL) | 31 |
| 4 | Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) | 29 |
| 5 | Singapore (SIN) | 24 |
| 6 | Hong Kong (HKG) | 19 |
| 7 | Seoul (ICN) | 16 |
| 8 | Shanghai (PVG) | 14 |
| 9 | Siem Reap (SAI) | 13 |
| 10 | Shenzhen (SZX) | 12 |
Related News Stories: Phnom Penh to switch airports on September 9, 2025 No flights suspension between Cambodia and Thailand despite ... New Phnom Penh Airport set to open Can tourists visit Thailand and Cambodia as the conflict persists ? Cambodia Airways launches Penang flights Emirates launches two new Southeast Asia routes Turkish Airlines adds Bangkok flights Are Cambodia/Thailand tensions turning into a full-fledged war? Etihad unveils 10 new routes Etihad Airways to add another 7 new destinations
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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