Kota Kinabalu Airport, officially Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) and widely known as KKIA, is the main gateway into Sabah and the wider Borneo region. Its IATA code is BKI and its ICAO code is WBKK. It lies in the Kepayan and Tanjung Aru area of Kota Kinabalu, only about 8 km south-west of the city centre, so the city is close at hand. After KLIA, it is the second busiest airport in Malaysia. Passenger flights, domestic and international, all use one building, the Kota Kinabalu International Airport terminal (Terminal 1), and the airport is run by Malaysia Airports.

The airport began life as Jesselton Airfield. Today its single runway can take wide-body aircraft as large as the Airbus A380. In the sections below you will find the airlines at KKIA, how to get into Kota Kinabalu, parking, a floor-by-floor look at the terminal and practical tips for your trip.

Terminal and airlines at Kota Kinabalu Airport

Only one passenger terminal is in use at Kota Kinabalu Airport, so you do not need to work out which building to go to. What does matter is the floor. Domestic departures and gates are on Level 2, while international departures are on Level 3, so check whether your flight is domestic or international before you head upstairs.

Kota Kinabalu Airport Terminal 1

Terminal 1 handles every passenger flight at KKIA. These passenger airlines fly from Terminal 1:

• AirAsia
• AirAsia Indonesia
• AirBorneo
• Batik Air Malaysia
• China Southern Airlines
• HK Express
• Jeju Air
• Jin Air
• Malaysia Airlines
• Royal Brunei Airlines
• Scoot
• Shanghai Airlines
• Spring Airlines
• Xiamen Airlines

The mix reflects the airport's role. Malaysian airlines connect Kota Kinabalu with Kuala Lumpur, the rest of Sabah and Sarawak, while carriers based in South Korea, Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore and Brunei link Sabah with the wider region. Your e-ticket names the airline operating your flight, which may not be the one that sold the ticket on a codeshare.

Getting to and from Kota Kinabalu Airport

Because KKIA is so close to the city, the trip into Kota Kinabalu is short by any mode. All ground transport starts on Level 1, the arrival level, on the landside. Fares are shown at the counters or by each operator.

Taxi

Taxis at Kota Kinabalu Airport use a coupon system. Buy your coupon at the counter on Level 1 of the Arrival Level, then take it to the rank outside. With the city centre about 8 km away, the ride is usually short outside rush hour.

City bus

A city bus service picks up from the Level 1 Arrival Concourse. It is the most economical way into town if you are travelling light and are not in a hurry. Check the destination on the front of the bus before boarding.

Car rental

Car rental counters are on Level 1, on the landside. A rental car suits travellers who want to explore Sabah beyond the city at their own pace.

Choosing between them is mostly about luggage and budget. The coupon taxi takes you straight to your address, which helps with heavy bags or a group. The city bus costs less but follows its own route and stops. A rental car makes sense if your plans go beyond Kota Kinabalu itself. Since everything is on Level 1, you can compare the counters on your way out of arrivals before deciding.

Parking at Kota Kinabalu Airport

Kota Kinabalu Airport has an open-air public car park with about 1,300 bays, and the operator lists two parking options to choose from. It suits both a quick pick-up and a longer trip away. Rates change with the length of your stay, so check the airport's parking page before you leave your car.

If you are collecting someone, wait on Level 1, the arrival level, where taxis, car rental and the clinic are also found. Arriving passengers come out on that level, so it is the natural meeting point.

Facilities at Kota Kinabalu Airport

KKIA has a good spread of facilities for an airport of its size. Here they are, starting with the ones travellers ask about most.

Lounges

The Travel Club Lounge is listed at Kota Kinabalu Airport, along with a not-to-land (NTL) lounge for passengers in transit. Lounge access usually depends on your ticket, a membership or a paid pass, so check before you go.

Terminal layout

The terminal is laid out over three levels. Level 1 is for arrivals, with taxis, car rental, left luggage and the clinic. Level 2 is the departure hall for domestic flights, where the gates are. Level 3 holds the public concourse and international departures. So if you are flying within Malaysia, your gate is on Level 2, and if you are flying abroad, head to Level 3.

Food and drink

Fast food, cafes and noodle outlets are on Levels 1 and 3 on the landside, and on Levels 2 and 3 airside. There is food on every level you are likely to use, before and after security.

Shopping and duty free

Retail and duty-free outlets are available at Kota Kinabalu Airport, a chance to pick up something for the trip or a gift from Sabah.

Smoking lounge

The smoking lounge is on Level 3, in the international departure area. Smoking elsewhere in the terminal is not permitted.

Left luggage

Left luggage is on Level 1, on the landside, and a baggage wrapping service is on Level 3. Leaving your bags is handy if you have a few hours before a late flight and want to see the city.

Prayer rooms

Muslim prayer rooms are on Level 2 in the departure hall, and on Level 3 near the Information Office.

Money, SIM cards and wifi

Bank ATMs are on Levels 1 and 3 on the landside and on Level 2 airside. Currency exchange is on Levels 1 and 3, both landside and airside. Wi-Fi is listed as an airport facility, and there is a SIM card kiosk on Level 1 if you want a local number when you land.

Rest, charging and medical help

A nap zone on Level 1 and massage-chair rest stations give you somewhere to relax between flights. A charging station is on Level 3 in the public concourse. If you feel unwell, the clinic is on Level 1 in the public concourse.

Families

A baby care room is on Level 2 in the departure hall. For a very early departure, some families prefer a night at a hotel near the airport.

Many services at KKIA are split between landside and airside. ATMs and currency exchange are available on both sides, so you can sort out cash after security too. Left luggage, car rental and the taxi counter, on the other hand, are landside only, so use them before you go through or after you leave arrivals.

Tips for departing and arriving at Kota Kinabalu Airport

Your airline sets the check-in and bag-drop deadline, so check it on your booking. KKIA is close to the city, but traffic can still build up, so leave some spare time. Once inside, remember the floor rule: domestic departures on Level 2, international departures on Level 3.

International passengers pass immigration on arrival at KKIA. Entry requirements for Sabah and Malaysia, including any arrival card, are set by the authorities, so check the official guidance before you fly. For live departure and arrival details, visit the Traveloka flight status page.

Flights and flight schedule from Kota Kinabalu Airport

On this page, the fare cards show fares from Kota Kinabalu to popular destinations, and the flight schedule tables list upcoming departures and arrivals at KKIA by date, with airline and scheduled times. They are a selection of flights to help you plan rather than a complete list.

To find the right flight, pick a route and dates, then compare the airlines and departure times. Set a Price Alert if you would like to wait for the fare to move, and after booking your e-ticket arrives by email and in the Traveloka app.

Popular routes from Kota Kinabalu Airport include:

• Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur flights
• Kota Kinabalu to Kuching flights
• Kota Kinabalu to Penang flights
• Kota Kinabalu to Johor Bahru flights
• Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan flights
• Kota Kinabalu to Tawau flights
• Kota Kinabalu to Singapore flights
• Kota Kinabalu to Seoul (Incheon) flights

Whether you are flying home to the peninsula or off to explore Asia, compare flights from Kota Kinabalu Airport on Traveloka and book the one that suits you.