Lahad Datu Airport at a Glance

Lahad Datu Airport serves the town of Lahad Datu on the east coast of Sabah, in Malaysian Borneo. It is a small, domestic airport with a single terminal building, built for turboprop aircraft rather than big jets. For people who live in the district, work on the surrounding plantations or come to see the rainforest, it is the quickest way in and out of this part of Sabah.

Most people who find this page are looking for the same few things: where the airport is, what its code is, and which flights leave from it. This guide answers each of those in turn, then covers getting to town, practical tips for the day you fly, and what there is to see nearby.

Where Is Lahad Datu Airport?

The airport is right on the edge of Lahad Datu town. The terminal is only about two kilometres from the centre by road, so the drive is a matter of minutes. That makes Lahad Datu one of the more convenient small airports in Sabah: you do not need to plan a long transfer, and even a short taxi ride will have you at your hotel soon after landing.

Lahad Datu itself sits within the Tawau Division on Sabah's eastern coast, between the larger towns of Sandakan to the north and Tawau to the south. It is a working town built around the palm oil industry and the sea, and it is also the jumping-off point for some of the most admired rainforest reserves in Borneo.

Lahad Datu Airport Code: LDU and WBKD

The IATA code for Lahad Datu Airport is LDU. This is the code printed on your ticket, boarding pass and baggage tag, and it is what you type into a flight search. Some people shorten it further and search for "LD airport", but LDU is the correct three-letter code. The ICAO code, used by pilots and air traffic services, is WBKD.

The airport is operated by Malaysia Airports, the company that runs most of the country's public airports, and it is owned by the Government of Malaysia.

Flights from Lahad Datu Airport

Scheduled services at LDU are run by AirBorneo, the regional airline of Malaysian Borneo that took over the network previously flown by MASwings. From Lahad Datu, AirBorneo connects to two airports in Sabah:

• Kota Kinabalu (BKI), the state capital and the main hub for onward flights.
• Sandakan (SDK), the east-coast town to the north, a short hop away.

If you are searching for a flight from Lahad Datu to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or anywhere outside Sabah, you will need to connect. Kota Kinabalu is the natural place to change planes, since it has the widest choice of domestic and international routes in the state. When you book, a single ticket that covers both legs is the safer choice, because your bags can be checked through and the airline will look after you if the first flight is late.

Lahad Datu Airport flight schedule

Timetables at small airports change with the season and the number of seats sold, so the best way to see today's schedule is to search the route directly. Enter Lahad Datu (LDU) as your origin or destination on Traveloka to see the current departure times and compare dates. Flights from LDU to BKI are the ones most people look for, followed by the short link to Sandakan.

Lahad Datu Airport Terminal and Operating Hours

The terminal is compact, with a check-in area and a waiting lounge for departing passengers. Because the airport handles only a handful of flights a day, it rarely feels crowded, and the walk from the entrance to the aircraft is short.

There is one important thing to know: Lahad Datu Airport operates in daylight hours only. It has no night operations, and flights are planned to arrive and depart during the day. So if you are planning a trip, you will not find late-evening departures from LDU, and it is worth arriving in Kota Kinabalu with enough time to make your connection the same day.

The terminal is small and services are basic, so bring what you need for the journey: a snack, a water bottle you can refill after security, a charged phone, and a power bank in your hand luggage.

Getting from Lahad Datu Airport to Town

With the town centre so close, the transfer is simple. Taxis wait outside the terminal building when flights arrive, and the ride into Lahad Datu takes only a few minutes. If you are staying at a resort or lodge outside town, many of them arrange pick-ups for their guests, so ask when you book your stay.

Travellers heading into the rainforest usually do not stay long in town. Transfers to the reserves are normally organised by the lodge or tour operator, and they leave from Lahad Datu by road. Plan your flight so that you arrive in good time for that transfer, since forest lodges often run their pick-ups at set times of the day.

Tips for Flying from Lahad Datu Airport

Small airports are easy to use, but a few habits make the day smoother.

• Arrive early enough to check in without rushing. Turboprop flights have limited seats and check-in closes on time.
• Check your baggage allowance before you fly. Turboprop aircraft have smaller overhead bins than jets, so a bulky cabin bag may need to be checked.
• Keep your identity document handy. Malaysian travellers need their MyKad and foreign visitors their passport for domestic flights.
• Remember that flights run only during daylight. If your first flight is delayed, the next departure may be the following day.
• During the rainy months, afternoon storms are common across Sabah. Morning flights often give you more room if weather causes a delay.

Things to Do Near Lahad Datu

For many visitors, Lahad Datu is a gateway rather than a destination. It is the nearest airport for two of Sabah's great wildlife areas.

Danum Valley Conservation Area

Danum Valley is an area of ancient lowland rainforest, protected for conservation and research. Visitors come for guided jungle walks, canopy views and the chance to see orangutans and other Bornean wildlife in the wild. Transfers to the valley leave from Lahad Datu by road.

Tabin Wildlife Reserve

Tabin is a large wildlife reserve within driving distance of Lahad Datu, known for its rainforest, mud volcanoes and birdlife. Like Danum, it is usually visited on a package that includes transport from town.

Lahad Datu town

The town itself has markets, seafood restaurants and a busy waterfront. It is a practical stop for a night before or after a rainforest trip, and a good place to pick up supplies before heading into the reserves.

Planning a trip to Sabah's east coast? Compare flights to and from Lahad Datu Airport on Traveloka and set a Price Alert so you know when fares change.