Siem Reap International Airport

Siem Reap International Airport[lower-alpha 1] (IATA: REP, ICAO: VDSR) was an international airport serving Siem Reap, a popular tourist destination due to the nearby Angkor Archaeological Park including the celebrated Angkor Wat temple. It was the second-busiest airport in Cambodia after Phnom Penh International Airport.[4] The airport was closed and replaced by the new Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport for commercial operations, due to operational and traffic constraints, in October 2023.[1][5][2][6]

For the new airport, see Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport.
Siem Reap International Airport

អាកាសយានដ្ឋានអន្តរជាតិសៀមរាប

Aéroport international de Siem Reap
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerCambodia Airports
OperatorVINCI Airports
ServesSiem Reap, Cambodia
Opened1932 (1932)
Closed15 October 2023 (2023-10-15)[1][2]
Hub forSiem Reap Airways (2000—2008)
Elevation AMSL60 ft / 18 m
Coordinates13°24′38″N 103°48′46″E
Websiterep.cambodia-airports.aero
Map
REP is located in Cambodia
REP
REP
Location of airport in Cambodia
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
05/23 2,550 8,366 Concrete
Statistics (2022)
Passenger movements372,000 Increase
Aircraft movements4,773 Increase
Source: www.vinci-airports.com[3]

History

Siem Reap Airport first opened in 1932 under French supervision.[7] A modern terminal was inaugurated in 2006.

In November 2012, Condor launched seasonal service to Frankfurt using a Boeing 767. The outbound flight from Siem Reap operated via Phuket, while the inbound one was nonstop.[8][9] The route lasted one season.[10]

Due to growing demands and traffic, the airport will not be able to cope in the future, as it is already running in its constraining capacity of over 10 million passengers per annum. So, to handle the future traffic, the Government of Cambodia decided to build a new airport for Siem Reap and eventually replace the present airport with the new one in the future. The project was first introduced in 2010,[11] and selected a Chinese company, Yunnan Investment Holdings Limited, to build the airport in December 2016.

Another reason for the new airport project is because of a study conducted by a team of researchers, who found that due to the existing airport and the city's excessive air pollution, the harmful pollutants present in the air is causing harm to the Angkor Wat Temple Complex. If remained unchecked, it could result in the complete erasing of scriptures and carvings and damage to the entire complex.[12] In view of this, a new airport has been built, located 50 km (31 mi) south-east of Siem Reap and 40 km (25 mi) from Angkor Wat. It is being built in three phases, out of which the first phase opened in October 2023, and will be able to handle 5–7 million passengers annually. The new airport replaced this airport as the main international airport for Western Cambodia upon its inauguration, by shifting all flights and commercial operations to the new one.[1][2][6]

Facilities

The airport is at an elevation of 60 feet (18 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 05/23 with a concrete surface measuring 2,550 by 45 metres (8,366 ft × 148 ft).[13][14]

The airport's new terminal was inaugurated on 28 August 2006. The Cambodian government has plans to replace the airport with a new one, 60 km from Siem Reap.[15] As of 2008, extensions to the airport's apron and parking areas are taking place. Air Traffic Control is provided by CATS (Cambodia Air Traffic Services), with full approach and aerodrome VHF facilities being housed in the control tower, between the fire station and the domestic terminal.[16]

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 itself is located some 6 km outside Siem Reap, just off National Route 6 north. Runway alignments are 23 & 05, with only 23 being used for takeoff, due to flight restrictions over Angkor temple.

Airfield
  • Runway: 2,550 m (8,370 ft) long x 45 m (148 ft) width (with shoulders 2.5 m wide each).
  • Parallel taxiway: length: 240 m (790 ft) width: 20 m (66 ft) and 10 metres of shoulders. Under construction: 1 (length: 600 metres, width: 25 metres and 15 metres of shoulders).
  • Number of stands: 10
Interior view of Siem Reap International Airport
Apron area of the airport

Airlines and destinations

All passenger airlines along with commercial operations were shifted to the new Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport on 15 October 2023.[1][2][6]

Statistics
Annual passenger traffic at REP airport. See Wikidata query.
Year PassengersAircraft movements
2012 2,223,02926,248
2013 2,663,33731,590
2014 3,018,669 35,696
2015 3,296,513 37,296
2016 3,478,300 37,698
2017 4,209,000 43,568
2018 4,480,000 44,314
2019 3,926,000 39,750
2020 619,000 7,751
2021 2,000 161
2022 372,000 4,773

Accidents and incidents

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

See also

Notes
  1. Khmer: អាកាសយានដ្ឋានអន្តរជាតិសៀមរាប; French: Aéroport international de Siem Reap

References
  1. "New Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport New Airport Profile | CAPA". centreforaviation.com. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  2. Cheang, Sopheng (16 October 2023). "Cambodia opens new airport to serve Angkor Wat as it seeks to boost tourist arrivals". ABC News. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  3. "Siem Reap international airport report from VINCI Airports – 2022 traffic levels" (PDF). VINCI airport. 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  4. "Cambodia Airports Traffic Data". Cambodia-airports.com.
  5. "New Siem Reap International Airport to begin operations in October". TIG Asia. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  6. "Feature: High hopes for Cambodia's touristic, economic growth as Chinese-invested airport starts operation". Xinhua News. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  7. Sebastian Strangio (23 February 2021). "John Burgess on the Modern Life of Angkor Wat". The Diplomat.
  8. "Condor stays on track for growth in winter 2012/13" (PDF) (Press release). Condor. 19 January 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  9. "Condor Air commences Frankfurt-Siem Reap service". TTG Asia. 5 November 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  10. "Flight plan Winter 2013/14" (PDF). Condor. March 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  11. Govindasamy, Siva (22 September 2010). "Cambodia eyes new airport for Siem Reap". Flight Global. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  12. "In Cambodia, Toxic Air Threatens Timeless Ruins". www.nbcnews.com. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  13. Airport information for VDSR from DAFIF (effective October 2006)
  14. "State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (Cambodia)" (PDF). Schedule-coordination.jp. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
  15. Siva Govindasamy (22 September 2010). "Cambodia eyes new airport for Siem Reap". Flightglobal.
  16. "CATS". www.cats.com.kh.

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