Kota Kinabalu International Airport, International airport in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Kota Kinabalu International Airport is a two-terminal facility located approximately eight kilometers (five miles) southwest of downtown in Kepayan. The complex includes several jet bridges and aircraft parking positions for wide-body planes, with areas for arrivals, departures, and baggage claim.
The site originated as a military airstrip during World War II and was later adapted for civilian flights. After Malaysian independence, the facility developed into the primary air link between the mainland and Sabah.
The facility takes its name from the coastal city it serves, while inside visitors find displays of woven textiles and carvings created by Sabah's indigenous communities. These pieces show traditional patterns and techniques passed down through generations in northern Borneo.
The complex offers currency exchange counters, ATMs, and information desks in both terminals, along with clearly marked zones for departures and arrivals. Vehicles typically take 15 to 30 minutes to reach it from the city center, depending on traffic.
The runway was built on land once covered by dense forest, which was rapidly cleared during wartime. Passenger numbers grew so quickly that the site required multiple expansions within just a few decades.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
