PHNOM PENH: Transport drivers in Siem Reap are searching for relief for the steep $3 entry fee that they must pay to drop off and pick up passengers. Leaders from the development council, civil aviation and relevant ministries held a meeting to find a solution for the taxi drivers, who are already suffering from the catastrophic drop in tourism following the Covid-19 pandemic.

On January 4, the First Vice President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, chaired a meeting with the Minister of Public Works, the Minister in charge of Civil Aviation, a representative of the Ministry of Economy and the Deputy Governor of Siem Reap to discuss entry costs for taxi drivers to the new Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport.

On January 3, a group of transport drivers who bring passengers to and from the new airport held a protest, asking the Chinese company that manages the airport to reduce the price and no longer charge the entrance and exit fees at the airport. Currently, it costs a minimum of $3, depending on the type of car, a price which greatly affects their bottom line.

According to the Ministry of Public Works, yesterday’s meeting to address the problem was held on the orders of Prime Minister Hun Manet. As a follow-up solution, the meeting decided to organize an inspection of the situation in the near future. Following the inspection, the working group will meet with Angkor International Airport Investment (Cambodia) Company to find a suitable solution for taxi drivers.

Siem Reap Angkor Airport was officially inaugurated on November 16, 2023 under the presidency of the Prime Minister Hun Manet. The airport was built and is operated by a Chinese company under a BOT deal, which will return the airport to Cambodian control in 55 years.