Siem Reap International Airport was an international airport that served Siem Reap and Angkor. It opened in 1932 and closed in 2023 upon the opening of Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport. It was the second-busiest airport in Cambodia after Phnom Penh International Airport.

History

Siem Reap Airport opened in 1932 under French supervision. A modern terminal was inaugurated in 2006. Due to increased traffic and pollution damage caused to Angkor Wat, in 2010, plans for replacing the airport with a larger airport further from the temple complex were announced. After delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2023, the Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport was opened and the Siem Reap International Airport was closed.

Facilities

The airport was at an elevation of 60 ft above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 05/23 with a concrete surface measuring 2550 x. On 28 August 2006, a new terminal opened. Air traffic control was provided by CATS (Cambodia Air Traffic Services), with full approach and aerodrome VHF facilities housed in the control tower between the fire station and the domestic terminal. CATS are also responsible for clearing takeoffs and landings of tourist helicopters from the “Big Balloon” site, 3 km away, near Angkor Wat. Both Helicopters Cambodia and Sokha Helicopters operate from the airport, with Sokha mainly operating from the Big Yellow Balloon site. The airport was 6 km outside Siem Reap, just off National Route 6 north. Runway alignments were 23 & 05, with only 23 being used for takeoff, due to flight restrictions over Angkor temple.

Airfield

Former airlines and destinations

In November 2012, for one season, Condor operated service to/from Frankfurt using a Boeing 767. The outbound flight from Siem Reap operated via Phuket, while the inbound one was nonstop.

Statistics

Accidents and incidents

In August 2002, a Bangkok Airways ATR 72-200 skidded off the runway. The airport was closed for two days.