AOR: The Airport Code for Alor Setar, Kedah

AOR is the IATA code for Sultan Abdul Halim Airport, the airport that serves Alor Setar, the state capital of Kedah in northern Peninsular Malaysia. In Malay it is called Lapangan Terbang Sultan Abdul Halim, and most people simply say Alor Setar Airport. Its ICAO code, used by pilots and air traffic control, is WMKA.

So if you are wondering what the Kedah airport code is, the answer for commercial flights is AOR. The letters appear on your ticket, boarding pass and bag tag whenever you fly to or from Alor Setar. Some travellers also write the city name as Alor Star, an older spelling that you may still see on signs and maps. Both refer to the same city and the same airport.

The airport is operated by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, which runs most of Malaysia's public airports. It is a mainly domestic airport with a compact terminal, which makes it quick and easy to use compared with the big hubs in Kuala Lumpur.

Where Is AOR Airport in Alor Setar?

Sultan Abdul Halim Airport is in Kepala Batas, about 15 km north of Alor Setar city centre. Don't confuse it with the town of the same name in Penang; this Kepala Batas lies just outside Alor Setar in Kedah. The airport is surrounded by the flat paddy fields that Kedah is known for, and you will see green rice fields on both sides as you land.

The airport shares its runway with the Royal Malaysian Air Force, so you may notice military aircraft and buildings on one side of the airfield. The civil terminal is separate and signposted for passengers.

Its location makes AOR a handy gateway not only for Alor Setar but for much of northern Kedah. Travellers use it to reach the city itself, the ferry jetty at Kuala Kedah for boats to Langkawi, and the wider north of the peninsula towards the Thai border.

Flights to and from Alor Setar Airport

Almost all flights at AOR are domestic. The main link is with the Kuala Lumpur area, which has several flights every day.

• AirAsia flies from Alor Setar to Kuala Lumpur International Airport and to Johor Bahru.
• Malaysia Airlines flies from Alor Setar to Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
• Firefly flies from Alor Setar to Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, which is closer to parts of the Klang Valley than KLIA.

Flights to Kedah from Johor Bahru

If you are searching for a JB to Alor Setar flight, AirAsia runs a direct service between Johor Bahru and AOR. This saves the long overland trip between the southern and northern ends of the peninsula and avoids a connection in Kuala Lumpur.

International connections

There are no regular international routes from AOR. Travellers heading abroad, or arriving from another country, usually connect through Kuala Lumpur, where both KLIA and Subang have onward flights. When you book on Traveloka, you can search for connecting itineraries that end at AOR and compare the total journey time.

Timetables change during the year, so check the live schedule for your date when you search for flights to Alor Setar.

Sultan Abdul Halim Airport Terminal

AOR has one passenger terminal. The current building opened in 2006 as part of a major upgrade, and the runway was lengthened at the same time so that the airport can handle aircraft as large as the Airbus A330.

The terminal is small and simple. Check-in counters, the departure gates and the arrivals hall are all close together, so walking distances are short and you can usually move from the kerb to the gate in a few minutes.

Because the terminal is compact, it has a limited range of shops and food outlets compared with a large airport. If you want a full meal or plenty of choice, eat in Alor Setar before you head out, and treat the airport as a place for a quick drink or snack while you wait.

Getting from Alor Setar Airport to the City

Taxi

A taxi is the most direct way to reach the city centre, hotels or the Kuala Kedah jetty, and it is a good choice after an evening arrival.

Car rental

Several car rental companies have counters at the airport. A car is useful if you plan to explore rural Kedah, drive to Perlis or visit sights outside the city. You will need a valid driving licence, and visitors whose licence is not in Roman script should also carry an International Driving Permit.

By train

The airport is close to Anak Bukit railway station, a short taxi ride away. Alor Setar's main railway station is on the national KTM network, with trains to Butterworth for Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Padang Besar on the Thai border. This makes it easy to combine a flight into AOR with rail travel along the west coast.

To Langkawi

Many visitors fly into Alor Setar on their way to Langkawi. Ferries leave from Kuala Kedah jetty, a short drive from the city. Take a taxi from the airport straight to the jetty and check the ferry times for your day before you land.

Tips for Flying from AOR

• Arrival time: AOR is a small airport, but arrive about two hours before a domestic flight so you have time for bag drop and security before the counters close.
• Check which Kuala Lumpur airport you use: Firefly flights go to Subang, while AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines use KLIA. Make sure a connecting flight leaves from the same airport.
• Bring ID: Malaysians need their identity card and foreign visitors need a passport, even on domestic flights.
• Plan the last leg: Public transport to and from the airport is limited, so arrange a taxi, rental car or pick-up in advance, especially for late flights.

Things to See in Alor Setar and Kedah

Alor Setar is a laid-back royal city with a good mix of history, faith and food. Most sights are in or near the compact centre.

• Menara Alor Setar, the 165.5-metre city tower, has an observation deck and a revolving restaurant with views across the city and paddy fields.
• Masjid Zahir, built in 1912, is a graceful mosque with black domes in the heart of the old town.
• Balai Besar, a royal audience hall first built in 1735, shows off traditional Malay timber architecture.
• Muzium Padi, the rice museum, tells the story of Kedah's paddy farming and is known for its 360-degree mural of the rice-growing cycle.
• Pekan Rabu is a busy traditional market for Malay snacks, handicrafts and local products.
• Wat Nikrodharam is a Thai Buddhist temple in town with gilded roofs.
• Kota Kuala Kedah, a historic fort at the mouth of the Kedah River, sits beside a fishing village with seafood restaurants.

Whether you are visiting family, doing business or passing through on the way to Langkawi, AOR is a relaxed way to reach Kedah. Compare flights to Alor Setar and set a Price Alert on Traveloka to book at the right time.