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Kota Kinabalu International Airport

Coordinates: 05°56′41″N 116°03′31″E / 5.94472°N 116.05861°E / 5.94472; 116.05861
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Kota Kinabalu International Airport

Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kota Kinabalu
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerKhazanah Nasional
OperatorMalaysia Airports
ServesGreater Kota Kinabalu (also West Coast and Interior divisions of Sabah)
LocationKepayan and Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Hub for
Operating base forAirAsia
Time zoneMST (UTC+08:00)
Elevation AMSL3 m / 10 ft
Coordinates05°56′41″N 116°03′31″E / 5.94472°N 116.05861°E / 5.94472; 116.05861
Websiteairports.malaysiaairports.com.my/kota-kinabalu
Map
BKI/WBKK is located in Sabah
BKI/WBKK
BKI/WBKK
Location in Sabah state
BKI/WBKK is located in East Malaysia
BKI/WBKK
BKI/WBKK
Location in East Malaysia
BKI/WBKK is located in Borneo
BKI/WBKK
BKI/WBKK
Location in Borneo
BKI/WBKK is located in Malaysia
BKI/WBKK
BKI/WBKK
Location in Malaysia
BKI/WBKK is located in Southeast Asia
BKI/WBKK
BKI/WBKK
Location in Southeast Asia
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
02/20 3,780 12,402 Asphalt
Statistics (2023)
Passengers7,044,345 (Increase 40.3%)
Cargo (tonnes)56,927 (Decrease 16.3%)
Aircraft movements60,490 (Increase 13.8%)
Source: official website[1]
AIP Malaysia[2]

Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) (IATA: BKI, ICAO: WBKK) is an international airport in Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah, Malaysia, approximately 8 km (5.0 mi) southwest of the city centre. In 2023, the airport handled over 7 million passengers passengers, making it the second busiest airport in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur International Airport in terms of both passenger and aircraft movements, though the number fell short of its peak in 2019, when it recorded over 9 million passengers passengers. It is also the third busiest in Malaysia for cargo.

As the primary gateway to East Malaysia, KKIA serves as the main hub for MASwings and a secondary hub for Firefly and Malaysia Airlines.[3][4] Additionally, it is the second largest hub for AirAsia Malaysia, after KLIA2.[5] The airport is also home to several general aviation companies, including Sabah Air Aviation, Sabah Flying Club, Sazma Aviation and Layang Layang Aerospace, which have established their main bases at KKIA.

History

[edit]
Kota Kinabalu International Airport

Military Airfield and Post-War Development

[edit]

The airport began as a military airfield built by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II.[6] It was originally known as Jesselton Airfield, with Kota Kinabalu then being called Jesselton. The airfield suffered significant damage from Allied bombings towards the end of the war.[7] After the war, the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) of North Borneo, which later became part of Malaysia's Sabah state, took over the airport's operation and maintenance.

With the end of the war, Jesselton Airfield was rehabilitated for civilian use. The Department of Civil Aviation began overseeing its operations and maintenance. This marked the beginning of its transition from a military installation to a public airport, laying the foundation for future commercial air travel in the region.

Early Commercial Aviation

[edit]

Regular passenger services commenced in May 1949 with a weekly flight operated by Malayan Airways from Singapore, stopping at Kuching and Labuan. The route was extended to Sandakan in September 1949.[8] By 1950, the airport became a stopover point for biweekly flights between Hong Kong and Labuan, via Manila and Sandakan, operated by Cathay Pacific.[9][10]

As domestic air travel grew, Sabah Airways Limited (later known as Borneo Airways) started operations in 1953, connecting Kota Kinabalu to other towns in Sabah, including Sandakan, Kudat, Ranau, Keningau and Tawau.[11] This expansion significantly boosted the airport's importance as a regional hub.

With increasing air traffic and the need to accommodate larger aircraft, the airport began significant infrastructure upgrades. By 1957, the airport's original grass strip runway was resurfaced with bitumen, and a new terminal was constructed.[6] This marked the beginning of the airport's transformation into a modern facility capable of handling more frequent commercial flights.

The runway underwent further extensions in the following years. By 1959, the runway was lengthened to 1,593 meters, allowing the operation of turboprop aircraft like the Malayan Airways turboprop Viscount aircraft. In 1963, the runway was lengthened again to 1,921 meters to accommodate the Comet 4 operated by Malaysian Airways.

As passenger traffic grew, the need for a larger terminal became apparent. In 1967, Cathay Pacific began operating a twice-weekly Convair 880 jet service to Hong Kong with a stop in Manila.[12]

Master Plan and Expansion

[edit]

In 1969, a British consultancy firm was appointed to develop a Master Plan for the airport,[citation needed] which included proposals for significant upgrades, such as reinforcing and extending the runway to 2,987 meters to accommodate Boeing 707 and 747 jets, building a new terminal, and installing modern navigation and communication systems.

During the 1970s and 1980s, a new terminal was built on the opposite side of the runway, with almost all commercial flights shifted to this larger, more modern terminal. The original terminal became known as the "Old Airport" (Airport Lama).

Corporatisation and Modernisation

[edit]

In 1992, the Department of Civil Aviation of Sabah was corporatised, and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad took over the management of KKIA.[6] A major expansion project for both terminals began in 2006, with Terminal 1 undergoing renovation and the runway extended to 3,780 meters, allowing the airport to accommodate larger aircraft like the Airbus A380.

Schematic map of the airport

A major renovation and expansion of Terminal 1 was approved in mid-2005 by the Malaysian federal government, with the project costing RM1.4 billion. The runway was extended from 2,988 m (9,803 ft) to 3,780 m (12,402 ft), and the size of Terminal 1 was increased 34,000 m2 (370,000 sq ft) to 87,000 m2 (940,000 sq ft). The airport's air traffic control tower was relocated to a new standalone structure.[13] The expanded Terminal 1 can accommodate four Boeing 747s, one Airbus A330, seven Boeing 737s, three Fokker 50s and three Dorniers at any given time. It has 12 jetways for passenger use.[14][15]

The expansion allowed KKIA to handle the world's largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380. As a result, the airport's capacity increased to 12 million passengers annually—9 million for Terminal 1 and 3 million for Terminal 2.[16]

Terminal 2, originally known as "Airport Lama," was the first terminal at Kota Kinabalu International Airport. After most operations moved to the new terminal in the 1980s, it remained inactive until 2006, when it was renovated to accommodate Low-cost carriers. The renovation was completed ahead of schedule, and the terminal reopened on 1 January 2007, in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2007.[17]

Due to congestion and limited space, all operations were eventually consolidated into Terminal 1, leading to Terminal 2's closure on 1 December 2015. The terminal is now used for cargo, charter flights, and general aviation.[18]

Future Developments

[edit]

In July 2023, Malaysia Airports Sdn Bhd (MASB) announced a RM8.4 million allocation for a facelift program. The project includes refurbishing public toilets, resurfacing the runway, upgrading commercial lots and modernising the public address (PA) system to improve passenger comfort and operational efficiency.[19]

In October 2023, Transport Minister Anthony Loke revealed long-term expansion plans aimed at increasing the airport's capacity from 9 million to 15.4 million passengers annually. As part of these efforts, the Transport Ministry is exploring the acquisition of adjacent land to facilitate the expansion under the 12th Malaysia Plan. The development is currently in the master planning phase, with consultations involving architecture and development firms.[20] Currently developers and architecture companies are on the masterplanning phase for this project.[21]

By the first quarter of 2024, Malaysia Airports unveiled a detailed three-year action plan for the airport's expansion, divided into two phases. Planned upgrades include extending the international terminal building by adding one additional gate, constructing new aircraft bays and developing a multi-level car park. Additionally, significant improvements to both landside and airside facilities will be implemented. These upgrades will boost Terminal 1's capacity from 10 million to 12 million passengers annually and enable the airport to accommodate up to 33 aircraft simultaneously.[22]

On November 13, 2024, the Transport Ministry approved a RM442.3 million investment for the airport's expansion and modernisation. This funding will support infrastructure enhancements to ensure KKIA remains equipped to handle increasing passenger volumes and play a pivotal role in supporting Sabah's tourism and business sectors, as well as regional economic growth.[23]

Proposed relocation to Kimanis

[edit]

In June 2022, Berjaya Land and Sabah's Qhazanah Sabah Bhd signed a memorandum of understanding to explore relocating Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) to Kimanis, about 60 km from the city.[24][25] By July 2023, Qhazanah Sabah's chairman reported positive feedback from a feasibility study presented to the Sabah Economic Planning Unit and Transport Ministry, though final approval awaited the State Cabinet's decision.

The proposal involved developing 6,070.5 hectares for the new airport, airport city and related infrastructure. However, it faced widespread criticism for its necessity, the proposed site's rural location,[26] the inconvenience to passengers, and the lack of public transportation.[27] Critics also argued the existing airport could be expanded and that relocation would economically disadvantage Kota Kinabalu.[28]

By early 2024, Sabah's Chief Minister Hajiji Noor and Federal Minister of Transport Anthony Loke confirmed there were no plans to relocate, citing the current airport's sufficiency and the high costs of the new site.[29][30]

Terminals

[edit]
Check-in counters, Terminal 1
Narrow-body gate view of terminal 1 and hangar
Airbus A330-300 at Kota Kinabalu International Airport
View from the apron

Terminal 1

[edit]

Terminal 1 is the newer and the main terminal of KKIA. It can be accessed via Jalan Kepayan, Jalan Lintas and Jalan Putatan located in the suburb or township of Kepayan. The terminal is capable of handling 9 million passengers per annum and is equipped with the following facilities:

  • 64 check-in counters for international and domestic flights
  • Two baggage x-ray check-in machines and five hand luggage x-ray machines (three for departures, one for VIPs and one for staff)
  • 36 immigration counters (16 for departures and 20 for arrivals)
  • Six baggage carousels
  • Five floors (first floor: arrival hall, second floor: airline offices and inter-state departures, third floor: check-in counters and domestic/foreign departures, fourth floor: Malaysia Airports office, fifth floor: Malaysia Airports administration office)
  • 12 aerobridges (to provide jetway facilities for landing arrangements of either five widebody aircraft along with two narrowbody aircraft or 12 narrowbody aircraft)
  • 22 aircraft parking bays capable of accommodating wide-body, narrow-body and turboprop aircraft
  • 1,400 car parking bays

The Departure Hall column head design is inspired by the 'Wakid' basket design. A 'Wakid' is, in Sabahan tradition, a symbol of preparing for a meaningful journey. Some ethnic patterns of the Rungus and Bajau ethnic groups are also incorporated into the design of the floor tiles.

The first flight to depart at the new wing was MH2637 to Kuala Lumpur at 06:50 while the last flight at the old wing was at 00:25. Malaysia Airlines is the main operating airline in this terminal.[31]

Generally, flights operating into and out of KKIA Terminal 1 are serviced by narrow-body aircraft. However, during peak travel periods, airlines such as Malaysia Airlines,[32] AirAsia,[33] Batik Air Malaysia[34] and Jin Air[35] will upgrade their equipment to wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A330-300 and Boeing 777-200LR.

Additionally, KKIA was the first airport in Malaysia to welcome the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operated by Royal Brunei during several product introductory flights in November 2013.[36] As to date, the largest aircraft to have utilize the terminal are the B777-300ER[citation needed] and Airbus A350 XWB.[37]

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, KKIA experienced issues during peak periods where aircraft parking is limited. A temporary workaround by Malaysian Airports was the introduction of a few new aircraft remote bays situated beside the MASkargo hangar. The remote bay allows either three additional narrowbody aircraft or one widebody and one narrowbody aircraft at any given time. Also introduced was the revision on current turboprop aircraft to narrowbody jet parking to allow more B737/A320 aircraft.[38] The remote bay construction has been completed in August 2022 which mostly use by freighter airlines.[citation needed]

Terminal 2

[edit]
Antonov-124 at Terminal 2

Terminal 2 was the original terminal building of the airport when it was first built. It is accessed via Jalan Mat Salleh in Tanjung Aru and is located on the other side of the runway from Terminal 1. Terminal 2 served charter and low-cost carriers, the main airline utilizing the terminal being AirAsia.

In 2006, Terminal 2 underwent a major renovation and extension to accommodate low-cost carriers, reopening on 1 January 2007 in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2007. The works were completed 27 months ahead of schedule. It had 26 check-in counters for domestic and international flights and nine parking bays capable for narrow-body aircraft as well as seven luggage x-ray machines, a VIP room and 13 immigration counters. The terminal had the capacity to handle 3 million passengers annually.[16]

The check-in counters at Terminal 2 during its operation

However, with limited expansion space and the congestion at Terminal 2, as well as to consolidate all airlines operations in one terminal, airlines at Terminal 2 was ordered to move to Terminal 1. The decision was opposed by AirAsia, and the airline refused to move despite a government directive to do so, missing the deadline five times as of 1 August 2015.[39] The issue was resolved when AirAsia agreed to move to Terminal 1 on 1 December 2015, and Terminal 2 was closed at midnight that day.[17] The terminal will be converted for cargo, charter, VIP flights and general aviation use.[18]

The Terminal currently serves for cargo operators such as Raya Airways and several General Aviation companies such as Weststar and Layang-Layang. Recently, during a state event with many VIPs in attendance, private jets on charter were moved to Terminal 2 to avoid congestion aircraft parking bays on Terminal 1. This includes a Boeing BBJ2 and Boeing 747-8 (BBJ).[40]

Airlines and destinations

[edit]

Passenger

[edit]
AirlinesDestinations
AirAsia Beijing–Daxing,[41] Bintulu, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Ho Chi Minh City,[42] Hong Kong, Jieyang,[43][44] Johor Bahru,[45] Kaohsiung,[46] Kota Bharu, Kuala Lumpur–International, Kuala Lumpur–Subang,[47] Kuching, Kunming,[48] Manado,[49] Miri, Ningbo,[50] Penang, Sandakan, Seoul–Incheon,[5][51] Shanghai–Pudong, Shenzhen, Sibu, Singapore, Taipei–Taoyuan, Tawau, Wuhan
AirAsia X Seasonal: Kuala Lumpur–International[52]
Air Busan Busan[53]
Asiana Airlines Seasonal: Seoul–Incheon[54]
Batik Air Malaysia Chengdu–Tianfu,[55] Kuala Lumpur–International
China Southern Airlines Guangzhou
Firefly Kuching, Kuala Lumpur–Subang,[56] Penang, Sandakan, Tawau[57]
Indonesia AirAsia Denpasar,[58] Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta[59]
Jeju Air Busan,[60] Seoul–Incheon
Seasonal: Muan (resumes 10 December 2024)[61]
Jin Air Seoul–Incheon
Malaysia Airlines Kuala Lumpur–International, Tokyo–Haneda (resumes 24 February 2025)[62]
MASwings Labuan, Lahad Datu, Lawas, Limbang, Mulu
Philippines AirAsia Manila
Royal Brunei Airlines Bandar Seri Begawan
Scoot Singapore[63]
Shanghai Airlines Shanghai–Pudong[64]
T'way Air Seoul–Incheon[65]
XiamenAir Fuzhou[66]

Cargo

[edit]
AirlinesDestinations
Teleport operated by AirAsia Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur–International[67]
MASkargo Bandar Seri Begawan, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur–International, Labuan
Raya Airways Kuala Lumpur–International, Kuala Lumpur–Subang, Nanning
SF Airlines Shenzhen
World Cargo Airlines Kuala Lumpur–International, Macau, Miri
Kargo Xpress[68] Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur–International, Shenzhen

Traffic and statistics

[edit]

Traffic

[edit]
Annual passenger traffic at BKI airport. See Wikidata query.
Annual passenger numbers and aircraft statistics
Year Passengers
handled
Passenger
% change
Cargo
(tonnes)
Cargo
% change
Aircraft
movements
Aircraft
% change
1994 2,096,241 Steady 24,270 Steady 40,608 Steady
1995 2,554,181 Increase 21.8 29,537 Increase 21.7 43,882 Increase 8.0
1996 2,622,190 Increase 2.7 23,099 Decrease 21.8 45,726 Increase 4.2
1997 2,732,146 Increase 4.2 37,203 Increase 61.1 49,148 Increase 7.5
1998 2,393,431 Decrease 12.9 27,942 Decrease 24.9 38,716 Decrease 21.2
1999 2,752,207 Increase 15.0 27,087 Decrease 3.1 40,634 Increase 5.0
2000 3,092,326 Increase 12.3 27,347 Increase 1.0 41,411 Increase 2.0
2001 3,036,196 Decrease 1.8 24,887 Decrease 9.0 40,157 Decrease 3.0
2002 3,256,212 Increase 7.2 28,112 Increase 13.0 44,528 Increase 10.9
2003 3,302,366 Increase 1.4 25,638 Decrease 8.8 44,748 Increase 0.5
2004 3,918,201 Increase 18.6 27,191 Increase 6.1 52,352 Increase 17.0
2005 3,975,136 Increase 1.4 25,473 Decrease 6.3 51,824 Decrease 1.0
2006 4,015,221 Increase 1.0 28,356 Increase 11.3 52,055 Increase 0.4
2007 4,399,939 Increase 9.6 35,638 Increase 25.7 52,047 Decrease 0.01
2008 4,689,164 Increase 6.6 34,532 Decrease 3.1 54,317 Increase 4.4
2009 4,868,526 Increase 3.8 25,079 Decrease 27.4 53,554 Decrease 1.4
2010 5,223,454 Increase 7.3 26,733 Increase 6.6 55,241 Increase 3.2
2011 5,808,639 Increase 11.2 28,534 Increase 6.7 59,638 Increase 8.0
2012 5,848,135 Increase 0.7 23,563 Decrease 17.4 58,366 Decrease 2.1
2013 6,929,692 Increase 18.5 21,922 Decrease 7.0 67,601 Increase 15.8
2014 6,792,968 Decrease 2.1 23,769 Increase 8.4 73,074 Increase 8.1
2015 6,573,461 Decrease 3.2 24,768 Increase 4.2 71,209 Decrease 2.6
2016 7,263,339 Increase 10.5 28,764 Increase 16.1 70,138 Decrease 1.5
2017 8,006,446 Increase 10.2 27,372 Decrease 4.8 73,237 Increase 4.4
2018 8,622,488 Increase 7.7 28,039 Increase 2.4 79,044 Increase 7.9
2019 9,445,494 Increase 9.5 28,664 Increase 2.2 83,580 Increase 5.7
2020 2,302,514 Decrease 75.6 41,724 Increase 45.6 32,081 Decrease 61.6
2021 1,123,673 Decrease 51.2 63,104 Increase 51.2 23,634 Decrease 26.3
2022 5,022,516 Increase 347.0 68,000 Increase 7.8 53,148 Increase 55.5
2023 7,044,345 Increase 40.3 56,927 Decrease 16.3 60,490 Increase 13.8
Source: Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad[69]

Statistics

[edit]
Busiest flights out of Kota Kinabalu International Airport by frequency as of July 2024
Rank Destination Frequency
(weekly)
1 Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur 168
2 Sabah Tawau 57
3 Sabah Sandakan 35
4 Sarawak Kuching 29
5 Sabah Lahad Datu 28
6 South Korea Seoul 25
7 Labuan Labuan 21
8 China Guangzhou 21
9 Penang Penang 17
9 Johor Johor Bahru 17
10 Hong Kong Hong Kong 15
11 China Shanghai 14
12 Singapore Singapore 13
13 Sarawak Miri 12
14 Brunei Bandar Seri Begawan 8
15 China Beijing 7
15 China Hangzhou 7
15 Sarawak Mulu 7
15 China Shenzhen 7
15 Sarawak Sibu 7
15 Taiwan Taipei 7
15 China Wuhan 7
16 Sarawak Bintulu 5
17 South Korea Busan 4
17 Philippines Manila 4
17 Indonesia Jakarta 4
18 China Fuzhou 3
18 Kelantan Kota Bharu 3
18 Sarawak Limbang 3

Accidents and incidents

[edit]
  • 6 June 1976 – A chartered Sabah Air aircraft carrying several government ministers crashed in nearby Sembulan upon descending towards the airport, killing 11 passengers including the then-Chief Minister of Sabah Tun Fuad Stephens.[70]
  • 4 September 1991 – A chartered Grumman Gulfstream II aircraft crashed into a hill while on approach to the airport, killing all 12 people on board.[71]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Malaysia Airports". Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  2. ^ WBKK – KOTA KINABALU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT at Department of Civil Aviation Malaysia
  3. ^ "Firefly to set up secondary hub in KK". The Star. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Firefly tubuh hab sepenuhnya di Sabah pada Mei". Sabah Media. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  5. ^ a b "AirAsia solidifies Kota Kinabalu as its second-largest hub in Malaysia with new route to Seoul". AirAsia Newsroom. 5 December 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Profile Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Department of Civil Aviation, Sabah. Accessed 10 April 2007.
  7. ^ "USAAF Chronology". Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  8. ^ Ivor Kraal (15 May 1949). "Singapore Skyline". NLB. The Straits Times. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  9. ^ "Singapore Skyline". eresources.nlb.gov.sg/. The Straits Times. 14 May 1949. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  10. ^ Colonial Reports - North Borneo 1951. London: Her Majesty Stationery Office. 1951. p. 77.
  11. ^ Colonial Reports - North Borneo 1953 (PDF). London: Her Majesty Stationery Office. 1954. p. 127.
  12. ^ timetableimages.com, Cathay Pacific 16 April 1967 system timetable
  13. ^ "KKIA to get ILS in 2014" Archived 6 August 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Malaysian Insider,
  14. ^ "Airport expansion of national interest: CM" Archived 26 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Daily Express News, 12 April 2006.
  15. ^ Design and Build Contract – Upgrading of the Kota Kinabalu International Airport Project (Package 1 – Terminal Building and Landside Infrastructure & Facilities) Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine, WCT Engineering Berhad. Accessed 11 May 2007.
  16. ^ a b "LCC terminal ready year end" Archived 26 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Daily Express News, 23 May 2006.
  17. ^ a b Sario, Ruben (30 November 2015). "KKIA Terminal 2 to close from midnight". The Star (Malaysia). Archived from the original on 12 December 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  18. ^ a b "Airasia must relocate from KKIA'S 'land-locked' terminal 2, says MAHB". The Sun Daily (Malaysia). 17 September 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  19. ^ "RM8.4mil allocated for KKIA upgrades, RM11mil for Tawau airport". the star. 25 July 2023.
  20. ^ "KK airport expansion on the cards, says Loke". FMT. 11 October 2023.
  21. ^ "MAHB Airport Masterplans For Penang, Kota Kinabalu, Tawau". hlarchitecture. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  22. ^ "MAHB: Upgrading, development plans for Kota Kinabalu International Airport". malaymail. 7 February 2024.
  23. ^ "Govt agrees to RM442.3mil upgrade for Kota Kinabalu airport". Free Malaysia Today | FMT. 13 November 2024. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  24. ^ "Sabah govt investment arm signs MoU with Berjaya Land to explore moving Kota Kinabalu International Airport to Kimanis". The Edge. 30 June 2022.
  25. ^ "Berjaya Land And QSB Study Feasibility In Relocating Sabah Airport". Business Today. 30 June 2023.
  26. ^ "'Don't waste money on relocating KK airport, Sabah govt told". Daily Express. 20 July 2023.
  27. ^ "People over profits: Leave KK airport alone". The Malay Mail. 19 July 2023.
  28. ^ "Warisan, Umno against resiting Kota Kinabalu International Airport". Daily Express. 5 September 2023.
  29. ^ "Hajiji says no immediate need to move KKIA". Daily Express. 17 January 2024.
  30. ^ "Loke: No plans to build new airport in KK". Mew Straits Times. 11 March 2024.
  31. ^ Kota Kinabalu International Airport, A-Z World Airports Online. Accessed 11 May 2007.
  32. ^ "Malaysia Airlines will be upgrading its services using the Airbus A330 to Kota Kinabalu on 20 and 30 April, as well as 1 May". Malaysia Airlines. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  33. ^ "AirAsia Extends A330 Schedule to Oct 2022". aero routes. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  34. ^ "Batik Air Malaysia Adds A330 Domestic Flights in late-July 2023". aero routes. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  35. ^ "Jin Air NW23 Kota Kinabalu Aircraft Changes". aero routes. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  36. ^ "Book International Flights to Asia - Royal Brunei Airlines". Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  37. ^ "MAS Airbus A350 conducts test flight to KKIA". The Borneo Post. 10 January 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  38. ^ "KOTA KINABALU FLIGHT INFORMATION REGION KOTA KINABALU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTTHE PROPOSED PARKING APRON EXPANSION, RECONFIGURATION OF AIRCRAFT STAND, PAVEMENT REHABILITATION AND ITS ASSOCIATED WORKS WORK SCHEDULE AND MOVEMENT AREAS RESTRICTION".
  39. ^ Yeong, Eva (17 September 2015). "AirAsia to stay put at KKIA Terminal 2". The Sun Daily (Malaysia). Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  40. ^ "Sultan Johor, Brunei antara tetamu majlis perkahwinan anak KM Sabah". Berita Harian (Malaysia). 17 September 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  41. ^ "AirAsia adds BKI-PKX route". Teleport FB page. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  42. ^ "Airasia launches Kota Kinabalu-Ho Chi Minh City routes".
  43. ^ "AirAsia launches Kota Kinabalu-Shantou routes". theedgemalaysia. 27 August 2024.
  44. ^ "AirAsia enters second half of the year with wider expansion in China". newsroom.airasia. 26 August 2024.
  45. ^ "Johor route for AirAsia".
  46. ^ "AirAsia Adds Kota Kinabalu – Kaohsiung Service From Nov 2024". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  47. ^ "AirAsia will start its twice daily flight service out of Subang to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching beginning 30 August". nst.com.my. 12 July 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  48. ^ "AirAsia expands China network with new Kota Kinabalu-Kunming route". AirAsia Newsroom. 29 July 2024.
  49. ^ "AIRASIA PLANS KOTA KINABALU – MANADO SEP 2024 LAUNCH". Aeroroutes.com. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  50. ^ "AIRASIA ADDS NINGBO REGULAR SERVICE FROM AUGUST 2024". AeroRoutes. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  51. ^ "AirAsia adds Kota Kinabalu-Seoul service from March 2024". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  52. ^ "AIRASIA X / THAI AIRASIA X NW23 A330 GENERAL NETWORK OVERVIEW". AeroRoutes Website. 8 October 2023.
  53. ^ "Air Busan schedules Kota Kinabalu service from May 2019". Routesonline.
  54. ^ "Asiana Airlines Sep/Oct 2024 Seoul – Kota Kinabalu Seasonal Operations". aeroroutes. 22 June 2023.
  55. ^ "Batik Air Malaysia 3Q24 Chengdu Service Expansion". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  56. ^ "Firefly starting jet ops from Subang Airport Aug 29, 2024". nst.com.my. 22 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  57. ^ "Firefly reinstates jet ops from Penang with direct flights to Johor Bahru, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu". TheEdgeMarkets. 17 February 2022.
  58. ^ "AirAsia Kembali Buka Rute Internasional Baru Tujuan Bali-Kota Kinabalu". tripzilla.id. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  59. ^ "Instagram".
  60. ^ "JEJU AIR ADDS BUSAN – KOTA KINABALU SERVICE IN NW24". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  61. ^ "Jeju Air Expands Muan International Service in Dec 2024". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
  62. ^ "Malaysia Airlines Resumes Kota Kinabalu – Tokyo Service in 1Q25". AeroRoutes. 29 July 2024.
  63. ^ Lim, Sean (22 November 2018). "Frequent fliers on some SilkAir routes will soon have to fly Scoot, SIA announces ahead of merger". businessinsider.sg. Archived from the original on 30 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  64. ^ "Shanghai Airlines Resumes Kota Kinabalu Service In 3Q23". AeroRoutes. 5 June 2023.
  65. ^ "T'Way Air Adds Seoul – Kota Kinabalu Service From late-June 2023". AeroRoutes. 16 May 2023.
  66. ^ "Xiamen Airlines Resumes Fuzhou – Kota Kinabalu Service From late-June 2024". Aeroroutes. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  67. ^ "Teleport A321F Routes". Teleport Facebook page. 29 August 2023.
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