Sandakan Airport (SDK) is the domestic airport for Sandakan, in eastern Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. It sits roughly 9 to 14 km west of the town centre, depending on where in town you start from, and it is run by Malaysia Airports. All passenger flights use one main terminal. For many visitors Sandakan is the starting point for Sabah's east-coast nature sites: the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, the Gomantong Caves, the Kinabatangan River and Turtle Island.

The airport has a long history. It began as an airfield built during the Second World War by prisoners of war and local labourers, and was later turned into a civil airport.

Terminal and airlines at Sandakan Airport

Sandakan Airport main terminal

The main terminal is the only passenger building, and it handles the airport's domestic flights. You check in, eat and board in the same place, so there is no transfer to think about.

These airlines fly from Sandakan Airport:

• AirAsia, flying to Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu
• Malaysia Airlines, flying to Kuala Lumpur
• AirBorneo, flying to Lahad Datu and Tawau

Other airlines may fly on some dates. The schedule table on this page shows who has flights coming up, and your e-ticket names the airline that operates yours.

Getting to and from Sandakan Airport

Sandakan Airport is close enough to town for a short road trip. Both options below start at the airport itself.

Taxi

Taxis are available at Sandakan Airport for the ride into town or out to your accommodation. Confirm the fare with the driver before you leave.

Car rental

Car rental services operate at the airport. A hire car gives you freedom to reach the nature sites around Sandakan at your own pace. Book ahead in busy periods and check where to collect the car.

Facilities at Sandakan Airport

Food and drink

Restaurants are available at the airport, so you can have a meal before your flight or after you land.

ATM and money

There is an ATM inside the airport. For other banking needs, the banks are in Sandakan town.

Tips for flying from Sandakan Airport

Sandakan Airport operates from 7am to 10pm Malaysia time and is not a 24-hour airport. Your airline's check-in cut-off, printed on the booking, is the time to plan around.

Travel document requirements are set by the authorities rather than the airport, so check the official guidance before you go. For the latest flight times on the day, use the Traveloka flight status page.

Flights and flight schedule from Sandakan Airport

The fare cards on this page show fares for popular routes from Sandakan. Below them, the schedule table lists upcoming flights at SDK by date, with the airline and scheduled times. It is a selection of flights rather than the full timetable, so use it to shortlist a day and time, then search your dates and book, or set a Price Alert.

Popular routes from Sandakan Airport include:

• Sandakan to Kuala Lumpur flights
• Sandakan to Kota Kinabalu flights
• Sandakan to Tawau flights
• Sandakan to Lahad Datu flights

Orang utans at Sepilok, a cruise on the Kinabatangan or a trip home: start with your Sandakan flight on Traveloka.