Limbang Airport: Gateway to Sarawak's Far North

Limbang Airport, known in Malay as Lapangan Terbang Limbang, is the airport serving the town of Limbang and the wider Limbang Division in the far north of Sarawak, East Malaysia. It is a compact regional airport that links this corner of Borneo with the bigger hubs of Miri, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.

Limbang has an unusual position on the map. The district sits on a narrow strip of Sarawak that runs between the two separate parts of Brunei. Roads cross into Brunei on both sides, yet for most trips to the rest of Malaysia the plane is by far the quickest option. That is why Limbang Airport matters so much to local residents, to people working in the area and to visitors travelling on to the interior.

The airport is owned by the Government of Malaysia and run by Malaysia Airports. It has one runway and a small terminal built for turboprop aircraft, the kind of plane that serves most of Sarawak's regional airports.

Where Is Limbang Airport in Sarawak?

Limbang Airport lies just north of Limbang town, close to the Limbang River in northern Sarawak. The airport lies roughly 5 to 8 kilometres from the town centre, depending on the route taken. In practice that is a short drive.

Because the town is surrounded by Brunei on the east and the west, overland journeys to other parts of Sarawak and Sabah mean crossing Brunei territory. That makes the short flight to Miri or Kota Kinabalu an attractive alternative for many trips.

Limbang Airport Code: LMN and WBGJ

The Limbang Airport code used on tickets, booking sites and baggage tags is LMN. This is the three-letter IATA code, so searching "LMN airport" or "book LMN" on Traveloka brings up flights to and from Limbang. The four-letter ICAO code is WBGJ, which pilots, air traffic control and flight-tracking apps use.

It is worth using the code when you search. Limbang is a small airport, and entering LMN directly avoids mixing it up with other Sarawak airports that have similar-looking names or codes.

Flights and Airlines at Limbang Airport

Scheduled passenger flights at Limbang Airport are operated by AirBorneo, the airline that runs Sarawak's regional air network. The main routes connect Limbang with:

• Miri, a hub for flights around northern Sarawak;
• Kuching, the Sarawak state capital, for onward flights to Peninsular Malaysia and beyond;
• Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, which also has many international connections.

Flights use turboprop aircraft such as the ATR 72, which the runway is designed to handle. Aircraft are smaller than the jets on trunk routes, so seats on popular days can sell out.

Limbang Airport flight schedule

Many people look up the Limbang Airport flight schedule before they plan a trip. Timetables on rural routes change with the season and demand, so the most reliable way to see current departure times is to search your dates on Traveloka. Enter Limbang (LMN) as your origin or destination and you will see the flights available for the days you choose. Setting a Price Alert helps if your dates are flexible.

Limbang to Miri and Kuching

For the Limbang to Miri flight, and Miri to Limbang on the way back, the hop is short and saves a long road trip through Brunei with two border crossings. For Limbang to Kuching, you can fly direct on the AirBorneo service, or connect through Miri depending on the day.

Limbang Airport Terminal and Facilities

The terminal at Limbang Airport is small and simple. Check-in, the waiting area and baggage collection are close together, so getting from the kerb to the gate takes little time. There is a place to eat inside the terminal building.

Services that a small airport does not offer are available in town. Hotels, banks and the post office are all in Limbang itself. Limbang Hospital serves the area for medical needs.

The airport handles scheduled flights during the day, and immigration officers are on hand for scheduled services. Sarawak applies its own immigration checks to many travellers arriving from outside the state, so keep your passport or identity card with you, even on a domestic flight.

Getting to and from Limbang Airport

Taxi

Taxis are the standard way to travel between Limbang Airport and the town. The drive is short, and a taxi is the simplest choice if you have luggage. If you are being collected, the airport is small enough that meeting at the arrivals exit is easy.

By road from Brunei

Limbang is linked by road to the Tedungan checkpoint on the western side, and from there roads continue to Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. To the east, the Pandaruan checkpoint leads to Brunei's Temburong district. You will need to clear immigration at each border, so allow time for this if you are driving to catch a flight.

Travel Tips for Limbang Airport

• Book ahead on busy days. Planes on the Limbang routes are small, so seats around weekends, school holidays and festive seasons go quickly.
• Check your baggage allowance. Turboprop flights can have tighter cabin and checked baggage limits than jet flights. Check your fare's allowance before you pack.
• Carry identification. Keep your passport or MyKad handy for check-in and for Sarawak immigration where it applies.
• Allow for weather. Northern Borneo has heavy tropical rain, and storms can briefly delay small aircraft. Keep some slack in tight connections at Miri or Kuching.
• Arrive in good time. The terminal is small, but check-in closes at the time your airline sets, so do not leave it to the last minute.

Things to See in Limbang Town

Many people pass through Limbang on the way somewhere else, yet the town rewards a short stay. The riverside town is also a gateway to the forests of the interior.

Limbang Regional Museum

The museum is housed in a fort built in 1897 during the time of the Brooke rulers of Sarawak. Its exhibits cover local history, archaeology and culture, and give useful background to the town's story.

Bukit Mas

Bukit Mas, or Gold Hill, is a limestone outcrop about 210 metres high that rises above the town. There is a Buddhist shrine halfway up, and the top gives wide views over Limbang and across to Brunei. At its foot, a lakeside park is popular with families.

Tamu Limbang

The tamu, or local market, is the place to see local produce, river food and handicrafts. It is a lively stop for anyone curious about everyday life in northern Sarawak.

The Headhunters' Trail to Mulu

Limbang is one end of the historic Headhunters' Trail, a trekking route that links the area with Gunung Mulu National Park. Trekkers coming from Mulu often finish their journey in Limbang, then fly out from Limbang Airport.

Planning a trip to northern Sarawak? Compare Limbang (LMN) flights and set a Price Alert on Traveloka to book at the right time.