SBW Airport: An Introduction to Sibu Airport

SBW airport is Sibu Airport, the air gateway to the town of Sibu in Sarawak, on the island of Borneo in East Malaysia. SBW is its IATA code, the three letters you see on tickets, boarding passes and baggage tags. Its ICAO code is WBGS. In Malay the airport is called Lapangan Terbang Sibu, and some travellers search for it as Sibu International Airport.

The airport is operated by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad. It has a single passenger terminal and one runway long enough for the narrow-body jets that fly between Sibu and the rest of Malaysia. For most visitors, it is the quickest way to reach central Sarawak and the Rajang River region.

Sibu Airport code at a glance

• Name: Sibu Airport (Lapangan Terbang Sibu)
• IATA code: SBW
• ICAO code: WBGS
• Location: Sibu Division, Sarawak, Malaysia
• Operator: Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad

A tip for first-timers: the code is SBW, not SIB. If you are searching flights or checking a timetable, SBW is the code that finds Sibu.

Where Is Sibu Airport?

Sibu Airport lies about 23 to 25 kilometres south-east of Sibu town centre. The newer satellite township of Sibu Jaya sits close to the airport, while the older town with its hotels, markets and riverfront is farther north-west along the main road.

The drive between the airport and central Sibu usually takes around 25 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic and exactly where you are going in town. Roads are generally quiet outside commuter hours, but it is still wise to leave a margin on departure day.

Sibu Airport Arrivals and Departures

Many people look up Sibu airport arrivals and departures to meet a relative or plan their own trip. The terminal is laid out over two levels. The ground floor handles check-in, arrivals and baggage claim, and the upper floor is where passengers go through security to the departure gates.

• Checking a departure: use your airline's app or website for the latest flight status and gate information, and watch the flight information screens in the terminal.
• Meeting an arrival: confirm the flight number and keep an eye on the estimated landing time, since weather over Borneo can shift schedules. Arriving passengers come out into the public hall after collecting their bags.
• Planning ahead: on Traveloka you can view flights to and from Sibu by date, compare airlines and departure times, and choose the schedule that suits you.

Sibu Airport Terminal and Facilities

Sibu Airport has one terminal that handles all passenger flights, with aerobridges connecting the building to the aircraft. It is compact, easy to navigate and well suited to a regional airport of its size.

• Food and drink: cafés and quick-service outlets are available in the terminal for a meal or coffee before your flight.
• Shops: a convenience store and small shops sell snacks, travel items and local souvenirs.
• Money: ATMs are available in the terminal.
• Prayer room: a prayer room is provided for Muslim travellers.
• Car rental: rental counters operate at the airport for visitors who want to drive.
• Parking: there is car parking at the terminal for drop-offs, pick-ups and longer stays.

The range of shops and food is modest compared with a big city airport, so if you have a long wait it is worth eating before you pass through security.

Airlines and Flights From Sibu Airport (SBW)

Sibu is mainly a domestic airport, connecting central Sarawak with other parts of Malaysia. The main airlines at SBW are Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia, and Sarawak's regional carrier AirBorneo also serves Sibu.

Popular routes

• Sibu to Kuala Lumpur: the main link from Sibu, with frequent flights between SBW and the capital. Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Sibu cross the South China Sea and take around two hours.
• Kuching to Sibu: a short hop within Sarawak between the state capital and Sibu.
• Other Borneo routes: flights connect Sibu with Miri and Kota Kinabalu.
• Johor Bahru: AirAsia links Sibu with Johor Bahru in southern Peninsular Malaysia.

Schedules change through the year, so check flights to Sibu on Traveloka for the airlines and times that match your travel dates.

Getting From Sibu Airport to Sibu Town

The airport is some distance from town, so plan your transfer before you land.

Taxi

Airport taxis wait outside arrivals. Passengers buy a taxi coupon at the counter in the arrival hall, which fixes the fare to your destination before you set off. It is a simple choice if you are unfamiliar with the town.

E-hailing

Grab and other e-hailing services operate at Sibu Airport. Book in the app once you have your bags and meet the driver at the pick-up area outside the terminal.

Car rental

Hiring a car at the airport gives you freedom to explore Sibu and the surrounding countryside at your own pace.

Hotel transfers

Some hotels in Sibu arrange airport pick-ups for guests. Ask your hotel when you book, especially if you arrive late in the evening.

Tips for Flying Through Sibu Airport

• Allow time for the road. The airport is roughly half an hour from town, so leave early, especially on weekday mornings and before public holidays.
• Arrive with a buffer. For domestic flights, arriving about two hours before departure gives time for check-in, bag drop and security. Many travellers check in online first.
• Bring your identity documents. Sarawak runs its own immigration controls, so passengers flying in from Peninsular Malaysia may have to show a passport or identity card on arrival. Foreign visitors should carry their passports.
• Watch the weather. Sarawak has a humid tropical climate with heavy rain, particularly in the wetter months at the turn of the year. Storms can occasionally delay flights, so keep an eye on your flight status.
• Check your baggage allowance. Budget fares may not include checked bags. Add luggage when booking if you need it.

Things to Do in Sibu

Sibu sits on the banks of the Rajang River, the long waterway that runs through the heart of Sarawak, and much of the town's life still revolves around it. The town has a strong Foochow Chinese heritage, which shows in its temples, food and old shophouses.

• Tua Pek Kong Temple: a colourful riverside Chinese temple with a pagoda overlooking the river.
• Sibu Central Market: a busy market full of local produce, jungle ferns and snacks, with food stalls upstairs.
• Night market: evening stalls near the town centre sell street food and everyday goods.
• Local food: try kampua noodles and kompia, the Foochow specialities Sibu is known for.
• Up the Rajang: express boats travel from Sibu upriver toward Kapit, a popular trip for travellers keen to see interior Sarawak.

Planning a trip to central Sarawak? Compare flights to Sibu Airport (SBW) on Traveloka and set a Price Alert to follow fares for your dates.