BTU Airport: Bintulu Airport in Sarawak

Bintulu Airport, known by its code BTU, is the airport for the coastal town of Bintulu in Sarawak, on the island of Borneo. It links the town with Kuala Lumpur and with the other main towns of Sarawak and Sabah. For the engineers, contractors and families who travel in and out of this industrial town, and for visitors on their way to its beaches and national park, BTU airport is usually the first and last stop.

The airport has a single passenger terminal and a long runway, well able to take the jets that fly the route to Kuala Lumpur as well as the turboprops used on shorter hops around Borneo. It is operated by Malaysia Airports, which runs most of the country's public airports.

Bintulu Airport Code: BTU and WBGB

If you are searching for the Bintulu airport code, it is BTU. This IATA code is what you will see on tickets, boarding passes and baggage tags, and it is the quickest way to find the airport in a flight search. The ICAO code, used by pilots and air traffic control, is WBGB.

You may also see the airport described as Bintulu International Airport. Whatever the name, the scheduled routes from BTU are domestic, so you do not pass through immigration when you fly between Bintulu and other parts of Malaysia. Travellers from outside Malaysia usually arrive through Kuala Lumpur, Kuching or Kota Kinabalu and connect onwards.

Where Is Bintulu Airport?

The airport lies to the south-west of Bintulu town, roughly 20 to 25 kilometres away by road. It replaced an older airfield that sat much closer to the centre. Because the airport is a fair distance from town, plan the transfer as a proper part of your journey rather than a quick hop, especially if you are catching an early flight.

Bintulu sits on the central coast of Sarawak, between Sibu and Miri. Once a fishing settlement, it grew quickly after oil and gas were found offshore, and today it is known for its liquefied natural gas plant, its deep-water port and the heavy industry that surrounds them.

Flights from Bintulu Airport

Most people who search for flights to Bintulu are travelling on the busy route between Bintulu and Kuala Lumpur. Here is how the network looks.

Bintulu to Kuala Lumpur

This is the main route from BTU. Three airlines fly it: AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines and Batik Air. With several departures to choose from, it is worth comparing times and fares, and checking what each fare includes. Malaysia Airlines and Batik Air include more in their standard fares, while AirAsia lets you add bags and meals as you need them.

Flights around Borneo

AirAsia also links Bintulu with Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, and with Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. The regional airline AirBorneo flies turboprop services from Bintulu to other Sarawak towns, including Miri, Sibu and Mukah. These short flights save hours on the road and are popular with people travelling for work.

Bintulu Airport flight schedule

Departure times change with the season, so check the current schedule by searching the route you need. Put Bintulu (BTU) in the origin or destination box on Traveloka to see today's flights to and from Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and the rest of the network, and compare them across dates.

Bintulu Airport Terminal and Facilities

The terminal is modest in size and easy to find your way around. Check-in counters are in the main hall, and the departure gates are a short walk past security. There are places to eat and drink inside the terminal, so you can have a meal before your flight or while you wait for someone to arrive.

Services are simpler than at a big city airport. Carry what you need in your hand luggage, keep your phone charged, and pack a power bank in your cabin bag rather than your checked suitcase.

Bintulu Airport arrivals

Arriving passengers collect their bags in the arrivals area and step straight out to the kerb. If you are meeting someone, check the flight's status before you drive out, since the airport is some distance from town and a delay can mean a long wait. Taxis, ride-hailing cars and car rental counters are all available for arriving passengers.

Getting from Bintulu Airport to Town

There is no rail link and public transport to the airport is limited, so most travellers go by road in a car.

• Taxi: taxis serve the airport and take you straight to your hotel or office in town.
• Ride-hailing: e-hailing apps such as Grab operate in Bintulu and can pick you up at the terminal.
• Car rental: rental companies have counters at the airport, which is useful if you plan to visit the national park or travel along the coast.
• Hotel or company transport: many hotels and employers in Bintulu arrange airport pick-ups, so ask in advance.

Leave extra time at the start and end of the working day, when traffic into and out of the industrial areas is heavier.

Tips for Flying from Bintulu Airport

• Arrive early enough to check in and drop bags without rushing, and check your airline's counter closing time in your booking.
• Build the 20 to 25 kilometre drive from town into your plans, particularly for early morning flights.
• Bring your MyKad if you are Malaysian, or your passport if you are a foreign visitor. Sarawak runs its own immigration checks for travellers arriving from Peninsular Malaysia, so keep your document at hand when you land from Kuala Lumpur.
• On AirBorneo's turboprop routes, the overhead bins are small. A large cabin bag may have to go in the hold.
• Sarawak's wettest months bring heavy afternoon rain. Allow a little slack if you have a tight connection.

Things to Do in Bintulu

Bintulu is better known for industry than tourism, but it has some fine nature on its doorstep.

Similajau National Park

North-east of town, Similajau National Park protects a stretch of coastline with golden beaches, mangroves and rainforest. Marked trails lead through the forest to quiet beaches, and visitors may spot macaques, hornbills and other Bornean wildlife along the way.

Tanjung Batu Beach and the town

Closer to the centre, Tanjung Batu Beach is where locals go for a walk, a picnic and the sunset. In town, Tumbina Park offers gardens and a small collection of animals, and the markets are a good place to try Sarawak dishes such as kolo mee and laksa.

Heading to Sarawak? Compare flights to and from Bintulu Airport (BTU) on Traveloka and set a Price Alert to be told when fares change.