Koh Kong Darasakor Airport set to open in mid-2023 without delay

• 25 February 2023
• Local News
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Koh Kong’s Darasakor International Airport is scheduled to open in mid-2023, as developers are speeding up the construction process and completing some key procedures to move into the aviation business without further delays, confirmed Koh Kong Governor Mithona Phouthorng on 21 February.

Darasakor International Airport was originally scheduled to be put into operation by the end of 2022 but has been delayed several times due to Covid-19-related disruptions and the Russian-Ukrainian war.

The Director of Dara Sakor International Airport Mao Keo Pich Chanmony told Construction & Property Magazine on 23 February that to officially start the operations of one international airport, the developer company needs to submit documents following procedures.

After the construction work is complete, the company must submit a letter to apply for an “Airport Certificate”.

“Company needs to pass the examination by the civil aviation experts on the standards of construction techniques along with the installation of various technical equipment, systems, and security, as well as staff capability training and so on in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) rules,” said Mr Chanmony.

“This process requires a lot of working time and close cooperation with the construction company, which usually takes at least three to six months,” he continued.

As the construction is not yet complete, the construction company has requested the Secretary of State for Civil Aviation to postpone the inspection to review the application for the airport operation certificate until the end of June 2023.

However, the company is committed to speeding up the completion of all remaining work to be able to launch flights in the middle of 2023.

Darasakor International Airport, located in Botum Sakor District, Koh Kong Province, is an investment by the Chinese company Union Development Group on an area of 218 hectares in the amount of US$200M (Phase 1). The airport is capable of providing 4E aircraft landings such as Boeing-777 and Airbus A-340 / A-350. (Read more)

Photo credit to khmerpostasia

• Road and Infrastructure