Kuching International Airport (KIA)

The new Kuching International Airport terminal complex was opened on January 16, 2006. Full work on the terminal was completed in April 2006 and consisted of nine bays (including three bays for B747 & A380 wide-body aircraft), four remote bays (for turboprop aircraft), as well as three new bays at the General Aviation Apron.

KIA is the main gateway into Sarawak and is situated 11 kilometres south of Kuching city.

The terminal complex is capable of handling five million passengers annually, making it the third busiest airport in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

In 2008, the airport handled 3,238,614 passengers and 19,166 metric tonnes of cargo. In 2009, there were 44,960 aircraft movements at KIA.

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has flights from Kuching to Singapore, Bandar Seri Begawan as well as Hong Kong via Kota Kinabalu. From mid-January 2011, MAS will commence flights from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, Osaka’s Kansai Airport and Seoul’s Incheon Airport into Kuching via Kota Kinabalu. It also flies from Kuching to other major cities in Malaysia such as Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabalu. Within the State, MAS has flights from Kuching to Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.

MASwings flies from Kuching to Sibu, Bintulu, Miri, Kota Kinabalu (via Miri, Sibu and Bintulu), Mulu, Tanjung Manis and Mukah.

AirAsia has flights from Kuching to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.

Silk Air and Tiger Airways fly from Kuching to Singapore, Batavia Air links Kuching to Pontianak, Indonesia, while Royal Brunei flies from Kuching to Bandar Seri Begawan, linking the city to other global destinations.

FlyFirefly Sdn Bhd (Firefly), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines (MAS), will expand to Sarawak with a new fleet of Boeing 737-800s in January 2011 to facilitate connectivity to the region. It will initially offer two flights daily from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur and then four flights by January 24, 2011.

Miri Airport

The new Miri Airport opened in 2005 and has the capacity to handle two million passengers annually. It is one of Malaysia's top five busiest airports.

Miri Airport is an important gateway to the Northern Region of Sarawak and serves as a hub for interior air services to areas such as Mulu, Mukah, Marudi, Limbang and Lawas.

In 2008, the airport handled 1,537,840 passengers and 4,146 metric tonnes of cargo. In 2009, there were 41,016 aircraft movements at Miri Airport.

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has flights from Miri to Kuala Lumpur and Kuching.

MASwings flies from Miri to Kota Kinabalu, Labuan, Sibu, Bintulu, Limbang, Mulu, Ba’kelalan, Mukah, Marudi, Long Banga, Long Lellang (via Marudi), Long Akah, Long Seridan, Lawas and Bario.

AirAsia has flights from Miri to Singapore (reinstated from January 2011), Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

Sibu Airport

Sibu Airport has a 6,300-square metre terminal and a 1,981-metre long runway. It can accommodate Boeing 737 aircraft. In 2008, the airport handled 831,772 passengers and 735 metric tonnes of cargo. In 2009, there were 17,150 aircraft movements at Sibu Airport.

Expansion work costing about RM136.88 million is currently in progress. Work would be in two simultaneous packages:

* Extension of the existing passenger terminal building, central utilities building and associated works costing RM84.44 million

* Taxiway and car parks, the Department of Civil Aviation building and associated works costing RM52.44 million.

The Kuala Lumpur International Airport is the consultant for the project, which is to be completed by the end of 2012.

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has flights from Sibu to Kuala Lumpur and Kuching.

MASwings flies from Sibu to Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Bintulu and Miri.

AirAsia has flights from Sibu to Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur and Kuching.

Bintulu Airport

Bintulu Airport is situated about 23 kilometres from the town centre. It started operations on December 19, 2002. The 2200-metre runway can accommodate B747s. In 2008, the airport handled 417,918 passengers and 1,978 metric tonnes of cargo. In 2009, there were 10,983 aircraft movements at Bintulu Airport.

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) has flights from Bintulu to Kuala Lumpur and Kuching.

MASwings flies from Bintulu to Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Sibu and Miri.

Short Take-Off and Landing Airports (STOL)

STOL airports are necessary in rural areas, particularly the State’s dense and hilly terrain. They accommodate small fixed wing and helicopter aircraft. STOL airports provide for the needs of passengers and travellers in remote areas and are a lifeline to neighbouring towns.

In Sarawak, STOLs are located in Lawas, Marudi, Mukah, Tanjung Manis, Kapit, Belaga, Bario, Long Seridan, Long Lellang, Long Semado, Mulu, Bakelalan and Long Akah. All STOL airports come under Malaysia Airports Berhad except for Lawas and Marudi, which are manned by the Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia, as well as Tanjung Manis, which is owned and operated by the Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (STIDC).