Pochentong Airport Opens as Public Park for Khmer New Year

The former Phnom Penh International Airport, known as Pochentong, is set to open to the public as a temporary park for a nine-day trial period during the 2026 Khmer New Year celebrations. This initiative marks the first public access to the historic site since it ceased commercial operations on September 8, 2025, following the complete transfer of services to the new Techo International Airport (KTI).

An inter-ministerial task force managing the site announced the trial, which represents a significant step in the adaptive reuse of major aviation infrastructure. The Cambodian government has confirmed its commitment to retain the 400-hectare site as state property, transforming it into a permanent public park rather than selling it to private developers. This move addresses the need for more urban green spaces in the capital and preserves a site of significant national history.

A Temporary Transformation

According to a notice from the task force, the former airport will be open with free entry from 5am to 9pm daily between April 11 and 19. The public is invited to use the vast open spaces for exercise, sports, and recreation. Visitors will have access to several key structures, including the central building, the VIP passenger terminal, and the iconic 1950s-era air traffic control tower, showcasing the airport's historic Sangkum Reastr Niyum architecture.

The civil aviation parking apron and runway will also be accessible. To celebrate the new year, some areas will be decorated with banners featuring traditional games. The task force has implemented strict rules to ensure order and safety; alcohol and fireworks are forbidden. While entry is free, parking fees are set at 1,000 riel per motorbike and 2,000 riel per car.

The task force issued a public appeal, stating, “The task force appeals to all citizens to come and visit, relax and exercise at Phnom Penh International Airport in large numbers, in the spirit of solidarity, unity and brotherhood.”

The Shift to a New Aviation Hub

The closure of Pochentong was a planned step in Cambodia's aviation modernization strategy, overseen by the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA). All commercial air traffic was successfully moved to the new Techo International Airport (KTI), which officially commenced operations on September 9, 2025. The transition was managed by Cambodia Airports (VINCI Airports), which has shifted its focus to the new gateway.

This decision has a significant impact on various stakeholders. For local residents, it provides a vast new public recreational area. However, commercial real estate developers are now unable to acquire what is considered prime urban land.

Phnom Penh Aviation Hubs

A Global Trend in Airport Reuse

The conversion of Pochentong into a public park aligns with a global trend of repurposing decommissioned airports into urban green spaces. This approach preserves historical infrastructure while providing valuable public amenities. Several major cities have successfully executed similar projects.

In 2008, the closure of Berlin's Tempelhof Airport resulted in its conversion into Tempelhofer Feld, a 300-hectare public park that opened in 2010—a pattern that supports the current situation in Phnom Penh. Similarly, Quito's Old Mariscal Sucre International Airport was transformed into Parque Bicentenario after operations moved to a new facility outside the city in 2013. The conversion of Chicago's Meigs Field into Northerly Island Park in 2003 also highlights this trend of reclaiming prime city-adjacent aviation real estate for public use.

What Comes Next

This nine-day opening serves as a trial run for the site's future. The Cambodian government's inter-ministerial task force is expected to use feedback from this event to plan the permanent transformation of Pochentong into a full-fledged public park. According to government plans, this permanent conversion is expected to be completed in late 2026 or 2027.

Why This Matters

This development signals a strategic choice by the Cambodian government to prioritize public space and historical preservation over commercial real estate profits. For the aviation industry, it serves as a case study in the lifecycle of major infrastructure, demonstrating a sustainable and community-focused approach to decommissioning an international airport. For the citizens of Phnom Penh, it marks the beginning of gaining a significant new recreational and cultural asset.