Cambodia's biggest new airport, Techo International Airport (TIA), is expected to help boost investment, trade and tourism in the Southeast Asian country, said business insiders on Monday.

Started operations on Sept. 9 and was officially inaugurated by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Oct. 20, the 2.3-billion-U.S.-dollar world-class airport replaced the old Phnom Penh International Airport, which was completely closed.

Connecting Cambodia more efficiently to regional and global markets, the 4F-level international airport enhances the country's position as an emerging destination for commerce and travel, the TIA said in a press release.

"The airport combines advanced engineering with Cambodian artistry," the press release said. "An iconic nine-meter Buddha statue and over 200 hand-carved sculptures by Cambodian artisans make the terminal both a hub of movement and a showcase of national culture."

Invested by Cambodia Airport Investment Co., Ltd, the TIA was built by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) on an area of 2,600 hectares in southern Kandal and Takeo provinces, more than 20 km from the capital Phnom Penh.

With a dual 4-km runway, it is capable of handling 13 million passengers per year in the first phase and accommodating long-haul flights and all types of aircraft.

"Travelers can look forward to a more seamless experience with the improved infrastructure, which includes the introduction of smart gates, and experience a delicate blend of traditional Cambodian architecture and modernity at the new airport," Berlinda Yong, general manager of Singapore Airlines in Cambodia, said.

Currently, the TIA has welcomed 31 airlines across more than 50 routes, handling around 15,000 passengers daily and 130 aircraft movements, the press release said, adding that major international flag carriers operating flights to the airport included Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines, and Singapore Airlines, among others.

Sarah Moya, general manager of Courtyard by Marriott Phnom Penh, said that with its impressive design and the seamless travel and airport service experience it is able to offer, along with its passenger, flight, and cargo capacity, it signifies opportunities for the resurgence and further development of the tourism sector.

"A bigger airport will bring in more flights, more passengers -- thereby more tourists -- benefiting businesses in the hospitality sector, like ours," she said.

Since the start of its operations, the TIA has already generated over 10,000 jobs, a threefold increase compared to Phnom Penh's previous airport, the press release said.

"The project is driving transformational growth across the southern corridor, where private investment is accelerating the development of new residential areas, logistics parks, and commercial hubs," it said.

It added that the number of residents of nearby districts has grown by close to 10 percent since 2020 and is projected to approach half a million residents within the next three to five years.

"The addition of a new integrated waterway will further support economic and population expansion in the area, positioning the airport region as a strategic hub for regional trade and mobility," the press release said.

The TIA is one of Cambodia's three international airports in operation. The two others are the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport and the Sihanouk International Airport.