China-backed Dara Sakor Airport to Test First Flight Before March 2021

• Kongleaphy Keam
• 13 October 2020
• Uncategorized
• 7478 Views

The controversial China-backed Dara Sakor Aiport in Koh Kong will run its first test flights before March 31, 2021, as construction is approaching completion, according to Minister of the Secretariat of Civil Aviation HE Mao Havanna during an official inspection from 10-12 October.

During the inspection, the technical team reviewed the report from the Union Development Group (UGD) and also visited the construction site.

The team also concludes several important timelines:
– Proceed with flight validation by December 2020
– Finish flight validation by February 2021.
– Finish airport construction before 20 March 2021
– Test the first flight before 31 March 2021
– Complete construction for other parts of the airport before 30 April 2021
– Handover to Secretariat of State for Civil Aviation before 30 May 2021
– Request for Airport Operation Certificate and start operating by Q2 2021

According to the plan, the company is injecting US$200 million to build a 60m-wide, 3,200-metre long runway and a new terminal. Once completed, the airport will be able to handle large aeroplanes such as the Boeing 777 and Airbus A360. (Read more)

The Dara Sakor Airport is a part of the multi-billion-dollar Dara Sakor Project. The United States recently imposed sanctions on this project over alleged severe human rights abuse and corruption, based on the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. (Read more)

The project has also been receiving criticism that it is being built to serve the Chinese military due to its massive size. (Read more)

However, the Cambodian government has repeatedly denied the allegations, claiming the project was only being built for tourism. (Read More)

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