4/ 5 reviews
Easy in & out
“Both immigration and security clearance were surprisingly fast, making the transition through the terminal stress-free.”
SAMIR K S5★ on Google
Airports / Malaysia / BKI
Large airport · BKI
Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia · 10 ft elevation. A private-aviation gateway on the Bravo register.
4.2/5
Google rating
8,242 ratings
0
Operators based
10
Elevation ft
Scheduled service
Kota Kinabalu, MalaysiaELEV 10 FTLarge airportScheduled service
4.2
Google rating
8,242
Google reviews
ratings on Google
10
Field elevation
feet above sea level
61
Nearest alternate
nm to LBU
Field standing
#11 / 29
Malaysia airports by Google rating
4.2★ across 8242 Google ratings , ranked against 29 rated Malaysia fields.
61 nm
To the nearest alternate
Labuan Airport (LBU).
Overview
Kota Kinabalu International Airport (WBKK / BKI) sits in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, where it functions as a large commercial airport. The airport sits 10 feet above sea level. Alongside scheduled airline service, the airport handles a steady flow of private and charter traffic.
No charter operator is headquartered on the field, but operators routinely position aircraft into BKI for departures. When weather or ramp space demands it, nearby options are Labuan Airport (LBU, 61 nm), Brunei International Airport (BWN, 90 nm), and Limbang Airport (LMN, 92 nm). With a single 12,402-foot paved runway, BKI can typically accommodate aircraft as large as VIP airliners.
Charter pricing from BKI depends on aircraft category, positioning distance, and trip timing. In directories and search listings it also appears under Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kota Kinabalu and Jesselton Airfield. Compare rated operators or run a route through the cost estimator to gauge pricing from Kota Kinabalu.
Run an FBO at WBKK? Become the preferred FBO
What fliers highlight.
From the stored review texts
3/ 5 reviews
Terminal & facilities
“From the polished floors of the departure hall to the well-maintained facilities, the upkeep is top-tier.”
SAMIR K S5★ on Google
3/ 5 reviews
Staff & service
“Professional Staff: The airport personnel are polite and helpful, reflecting the warm hospitality Sabah is known for.”
SAMIR K S5★ on Google
Themes counted by keyword across Google review texts for Kota Kinabalu International Airport, every quote is verbatim from a real review.
Field capability
ICAO
WBKK
IATA
BKI
FAA / Local
WBKK
Elevation
10 ft
Coordinates
5.9327° N · 116.0493° E
Airspace
G · GolfClass G, GolfUncontrolled field, no tower. Pilots self-announce and sequence themselves on the common traffic advisory frequency.Source: FAA NASR class airspace
Size
Large
Scheduled svc
Yes
Elevation vs Malaysia fields
state range 10–3,350 ft
At 10 ft, BKI sits lower than 97% of the 29 Malaysia fields on the register.
Runways & aircraft access
1 runway
longest 12,402 ft
- 02/2012,402 ft × 148 ftAsphaltLighted
Which aircraft can operate here
vs longest paved runway 12,402 ft
BKI's 12,402 ft paved runway typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners.
- Turboprop3,000 ft
- Light Jet3,500 ft
- Midsize Jet4,500 ft
- Super-Midsize Jet5,000 ft
- Heavy Jet5,500 ft
- VIP Airliner6,000 ft
Class minimums are sea-level planning rules of thumb. A specific aircraft's balanced-field length varies with weight, temperature, and field elevation. Confirm performance with the operator.
Access & alternates
Closest alternate fields by great-circle distance, every listing links to its own field brief.
- 61nmLBULabuan AirportLabuan
- 90nmBWNBrunei International AirportBandar Seri Begawan
- 92nmLMNLimbang AirportLimbang
- 120nmSDKSandakan AirportSandakan
- 135nmMZVMulu AirportMulu
- 136nmBBNBario AirportBario
Location
Open the full mapWBKK · Kota Kinabalu International Airport · Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Flight times from here
Approximate nonstop block times from BKI on a typical midsize charter jet. Faster classes trim these; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.
| Destination | Distance | Block time |
|---|---|---|
| Honolulu (HNL) | 5,053 nm | 12h 9m |
| Anchorage (ANC) | 5,206 nm | 12h 30m |
| Seattle (SEA) | 6,368 nm | 15h 13m |
| San Francisco (SFO) | 6,632 nm | 15h 49m |
| Los Angeles (VNY) | 6,891 nm | 16h 26m |
| Jackson Hole (JAC) | 6,902 nm | 16h 27m |
| Salt Lake City (SLC) | 6,956 nm | 16h 35m |
| Las Vegas (LAS) | 6,982 nm | 16h 38m |
Common questions
- What size private jets can use BKI?
- Kota Kinabalu International Airport's longest paved runway is 12,402 ft, which typically supports charter aircraft up to VIP airliners. Lighter classes (turboprops, light and midsize jets) operate comfortably; confirm exact performance for a specific tail with the operator, since balanced-field length shifts with weight, temperature, and elevation.
- What is the longest runway at BKI?
- Kota Kinabalu International Airport has one runway; the longest measures 12,402 ft on a paved surface and is lit for night operations.
- What is the nearest major airport to BKI?
- The closest alternate is Labuan Airport (LBU), about 61 nm away, followed by Brunei International Airport (BWN) at 90 nm. Operators often position aircraft between these fields depending on ramp space and availability.
- How long is a flight from BKI to major cities?
- Typical block times on a midsize jet: Honolulu about 12h 9m (5,053 nm), Anchorage about 12h 30m (5,206 nm), Seattle about 15h 13m (6,368 nm). Faster classes trim these times; add positioning and taxi for the real schedule.