Tawau Airport (TWU) is the second-largest airport in Sabah, in Malaysian Borneo. It lies about 28 to 31 km north-east of Tawau town and serves Tawau and the surrounding area, including travellers bound for Semporna and its diving islands such as Sipadan. Malaysia Airports operates the airport. A single passenger terminal handles both domestic flights and international services to Guangzhou in China.

This guide explains the terminal, which airlines fly here, how to get into town and how to use the flight schedule.

About Tawau Airport

The airport's IATA code is TWU and its ICAO code is WBKW. You will see TWU on your booking and on your bag tag. Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad operates it, and as the second-largest airport in Sabah it links Tawau with Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Guangzhou.

Terminal and airlines at Tawau Airport

Tawau Airport terminal

There is one terminal building at Tawau Airport, used for both domestic and international flights. If you are flying to Guangzhou, you will go through immigration inside the same building, so allow more time than you would for a domestic hop.

These airlines fly from Tawau Airport:

• AirAsia, flying to Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Guangzhou
• Malaysia Airlines, flying to Kuala Lumpur
• AirBorneo, flying to Sandakan

Schedules change and other carriers may appear on certain dates, so check the schedule table on this page and the airline named on your e-ticket.

Arriving at Tawau Airport

Passengers landing from Guangzhou clear immigration inside the terminal before they reach the public area. Domestic passengers walk straight through to collect their bags. Have your passport ready if you are arriving from abroad.

Getting to and from Tawau Airport

The airport is a fair drive from Tawau town, so plan the road leg as carefully as the flight.

Taxi and Grab

Taxis serve Tawau Airport, and ride-hailing through Grab is also available. Grab shows the fare in the app before you confirm, while for a taxi you should agree the fare with the driver first. Semporna and its islands lie beyond Tawau, so build the onward journey into your plans as well.

Tips for flying from Tawau Airport

At Tawau Airport, your airline's check-in cut-off, shown on your booking, is the deadline to plan around, and the international flight to Guangzhou needs extra time for immigration. Entry rules for China, and any arrival card, are set by governments rather than the airport, so check the official guidance for your passport. For up-to-the-minute times, use the Traveloka flight status page.

Flights and flight schedule from Tawau Airport

The fare cards show fares for popular routes from Tawau, and the schedule table further down lists upcoming flights at TWU by date, with the airline and the scheduled departure and landing times. It is a selection rather than a full timetable. Pick the day and time that suit you, compare airlines, then book, or set a Price Alert if you would rather wait.

Popular routes from Tawau Airport include:

• Tawau to Kuala Lumpur flights
• Tawau to Kota Kinabalu flights
• Tawau to Sandakan flights
• Tawau to Johor Bahru flights
• Tawau to Guangzhou flights

Planning a dive trip to Semporna or a visit home to Tawau? Find your flight on Traveloka and book in a few taps.