BKI airport: the code and names of Kota Kinabalu's airport

BKI is the IATA code for Kota Kinabalu International Airport, the main air gateway to Sabah on the island of Borneo. It is the code you will see on tickets, boarding passes and bag tags, and it is how many travellers search for the airport. The ICAO code, used by pilots and air traffic control, is WBKK.

Locally the airport is almost always shortened to KKIA, and people also call it KK airport, after the city's nickname. Its Malay name is Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kota Kinabalu. It is operated by Malaysia Airports, the company that runs most of Malaysia's airports.

KKIA is where most visitors to Sabah begin their trip. From here you can head into Kota Kinabalu city, out to the islands of the South China Sea or up towards Mount Kinabalu.

Where Kota Kinabalu International Airport is

Kota Kinabalu International Airport lies about 8 km south-west of Kota Kinabalu city centre, between the districts of Kepayan and Tanjung Aru. That short distance is a real advantage: the city, the waterfront and many hotels are a quick ride away.

The main terminal, Terminal 1, is reached by road through Kepayan. On the other side of the runway, facing Tanjung Aru and the coast, is the older Terminal 2 building. Tanjung Aru beach, known for its sunsets, is just beyond the airport fence on that side.

KKIA terminals and facilities

Terminal 1: all passenger flights

All scheduled passenger flights at BKI airport use Terminal 1. It handles both domestic and international flights, with separate departure areas for each after check-in. Terminal 1 has 12 aerobridges, so on most flights you walk straight from the gate onto the aircraft.

The design nods to Sabah's cultures. The columns in the departure hall take their shape from the wakid, a traditional woven basket, and the floor tiles carry patterns from the Rungus and Bajau peoples.

Terminal 2: no passenger flights

Terminal 2 was the airport's original terminal and was later used by low-cost airlines. It closed to scheduled passenger flights when all airlines moved to Terminal 1, and it now serves cargo, charter and general aviation. If an old booking or map mentions Terminal 2, go to Terminal 1 instead.

Shops, food and lounge

Terminal 1 has duty-free shops, retail outlets and food and drink outlets. Shops selling local handicrafts and Sabah food products are a good place to pick up last-minute gifts. Travellers flying abroad can use the Plaza Premium Lounge, located after security in the international departure area, with seating, food and drinks, Wi-Fi and showers.

Airlines and flights at BKI airport

KKIA has a wide spread of domestic and international flights. AirAsia has a large base here, and Malaysia Airlines and Batik Air also run regular services.

Domestic flights from Kota Kinabalu

Kuala Lumpur is the main domestic link, and flights from Kota Kinabalu also reach other cities across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. Many searches ask about Senai to Kota Kinabalu. AirAsia flies direct between Johor Bahru's Senai airport and KKIA, which saves travellers from southern Johor and Singapore a stop in Kuala Lumpur. AirBorneo, the regional airline that runs rural air services in Borneo, links KK with smaller towns in Borneo, such as Labuan and Lahad Datu.

International flights from Kota Kinabalu

The international network looks north to East Asia. Korean carriers Jin Air, Jeju Air and Air Busan connect KK with Seoul and Busan. HK Express flies to Hong Kong, and Chinese airlines, among them China Southern, Shanghai Airlines and XiamenAir, serve cities in China. Closer to home, Scoot flies to Singapore and Royal Brunei Airlines to Bandar Seri Begawan.

Routes change with the seasons, and some Asian services run only at certain times of year. Check the live list of flights to and from Kota Kinabalu on Traveloka for the dates you have in mind.

Getting from KKIA to Kota Kinabalu city

Airport bus

The airport shuttle bus links Terminal 1 with the city centre, ending at Padang Merdeka, with stops that include Centre Point. The ticket counter sits just outside the arrival hall. The ride usually takes around half an hour, depending on traffic. Buses run through the day but not late at night.

Taxi

Airport taxis run on a coupon system. Go to the taxi counter in the arrival hall, give your destination and pay for a coupon, then hand it to your driver. Fares are fixed by destination, so there is no meter to watch.

Ride-hailing

Grab is widely used in Kota Kinabalu and picks up at the airport from a designated area on the arrival level. Many travellers find it the easiest way to reach hotels outside the bus route, such as those along the coast.

Tips for flying through Kota Kinabalu International Airport

Airlines set their own check-in times, and counters for international flights typically close about an hour before departure. AirAsia, for example, closes bag drop 60 minutes before its flights. Arrive well ahead of that, especially for international flights that include immigration.

Sabah has its own immigration checks, even for many Malaysian travellers arriving from Peninsular Malaysia. Keep your passport or identity card handy on domestic flights as well as international ones.

Weekends, school holidays and festive periods bring big crowds, particularly on flights to and from Kuala Lumpur. Leave extra time on those days. Sabah has a tropical climate with heavy rain in the wetter months, which can slow traffic on the way to the airport.

Pack liquids in your cabin bag in containers of 100 ml or less, sealed in a clear bag. Baggage allowances depend on your airline and fare, so check before you pack, especially if you plan to bring home seafood or other food products.

Things to do in and around Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu is a gateway to many well-known Borneo sights. Boats leave from Jesselton Point in the city for the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, with beaches and snorkelling close to shore. In town, the Sunday Gaya Street market and the waterfront night markets are popular for food and crafts, and Signal Hill gives a view over the city.

Inland, Kinabalu Park and Mount Kinabalu draw hikers and nature lovers, while the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, set beside a lagoon, is a striking city landmark. Near the airport, Tanjung Aru beach is a relaxed place to watch the sun go down before an evening flight.

Ready to plan your Sabah trip? Compare flights to and from BKI airport and set a Price Alert on Traveloka.