Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Capital’s airport records 28% cargo rise

Capital’s airport records 28% cargo rise

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Workers transport a shipment at Phnom Penh International Airport in 2019. Hong Menea

Capital’s airport records 28% cargo rise

Phnom Penh International Airport handled 55,000 tonnes of air freight in 2021, surging by about 28 per cent from a year earlier, according to a State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) report.

SSCA spokesman Sin Chansereyvutha told The Post on February 9 that the air freight business has returned to health, “owing to the rise in the cost of transporting goods by water or land, with prices almost the same as air freight”.

With shorter delivery times “investors are turning to air transport, especially for expensive items”, he said.

He noted that the capital’s airport has a cargo warehouse and accounts for the majority of air freight handled in the Kingdom, with Sihanouk International Airport making up the rest.

He also confirmed that a similar warehouse was planned for Preah Sihanouk province’s airport – located some 20km east of Sihanoukville in Thma Thom village, Ream commune, Prey Nop district.

Cambodia Logistics Association (CLA) president Sin Chanthy said air transport had dropped by more than 90 per cent in 2020, when Covid-19 stuck.

However, air transport gradually resumed from mid-2021, driven by the Covid-19 vaccine rollout and reopening of the country, with the numbers of cargo flights notably taking off during the peak season when the pressure was on to move goods quickly, he said.

“This growth has climbed from end-2021 – as of the beginning of 2022 – and the trend will persist, albeit at a relatively sluggish pace, marking a positive for the sector.

“Once the domestic coronavirus spread is brought under control, not only will transport by air – currently showing positive signals – chug along smoothly and at a faster pace, the same will apply to land and waterway routes,” Chanthy said.

MOST VIEWED

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • Waterway job still pending for Kampot tourism port’s opening

    The search is still on for a contractor to expand and deepen the Kampot International Tourism Port’s waterway and deliver additional enhancements allowing safe access for larger vessels, nearly a year after the main construction work on the 4.25ha site was completed on June 30, 2022.