Air traffic is on the rise as airlines continue to recover from the pandemic, prompting global airports to expand their capacities. This includes terminal upgrades in cities like New York, Abu Dhabi, San Francisco, and Bangalore. Additionally, several new airports have opened recently to replace older facilities or serve new markets. Here is a review of some of the most notable airports that opened last year and their progress in 2024.
Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI) in Cambodia was built 30 miles from Siem Reap and Angkor Wat to address capacity constraints and pollution issues at the previous airport near the city center. The Cambodian government awarded a $1.1 billion contract to a Chinese construction firm for its development. "The first phase...has a capacity of 7 million passengers annually," with plans for expansion up to 20 million by 2050.
Antonio Agostinho Neto International Airport (NBJ) in Luanda, Angola, replaced the aging Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport. Construction began in 2006 but faced delays until funding was secured from the Aviation Industry Corporation of China in 2020. TAAG Angola Airlines has started moving operations there, with full transition expected by early 2025.