Sibu Airport
Encyclopedia
Sibu Airport is an airport
located in Sibu
, a town in the state of Sarawak
in Malaysia. In 2010, the airport handled 1,009,002 passengers on 18,985 flights and also handled 1,133 metric tonnes of cargo.
In April 2009, the airport was given RM 150 million for an upgrade of the terminal building. Its terminal will be larger than Miri Airport
and Bintulu Airport
.On September 23 2010,Sarawak Minister of Finance and Public Health, Dato' Sri Wong Soon Koh had announced that the expansion project is now on. The expansion project is estimated to be completed in September 2012.
On 15 August 1990, a Lockheed C-130H Hercules belonging to the Royal Malaysian Air Force skidded off the runway and the aircraft had been written off. It was believed that those on board are part of the royal entourage visit to Sibu.
On 2 September 1992, a Fokker 50 aircraft landing gear failed, causing the aircraft to veered off the runway and into the bushes.
The old airport has been demolished to make way for Laila Taib College (formerly known as UCS-United College of Sarawak) & Tun Zaidi Stadium. The runway of the old airport can still be seen and half of it is used as the connecting road for the stadium.
aircraft occurred. To be precise, the aircraft were 3 Fokker 50 and 1 Boeing 737. They were the pioneers to land on the Sibu New Airport Runway which at that time measured 1,981 metres in length and 45 metres wide.
On that remarkably historical night, the air traffic clearance “Clear to land” was issued from the Sibu Air Traffic Control Tower on the assigned frequency 122.6 MHZ to the first Boeing 737-500 to land on the asphalt surface of the designated Runway 13.
That night not only marked the first landing of a turbo-prop commercial aircraft on Sibu ground but subsequently it also commemorated the commencement of operation of the new airport located 23 kilometres East South-East of Sibu town.
Sibu New Airport was built with a single runway designated as Runway 13/Runway 31. It was previously 1,981 metres long and 45 metres wide but since the completion of the extension under the 7th Malaysian Plan (RMK7) for ‘Sibu Airport Development Plan’, the length was extended to 2,745 metres. And the new runway length was commissioned to be used on the 9 May 2006. The extended length is able to cater the landing of an Airbus A330 or other wide bodied jet aircraft.
Runway 13 is equipped with an approach lighting system called Precision Approach Lighting Category 1, whereas Runway 31 with Simple Approach Lighting System. The other airside areas such as the taxiways (‘A’ and ‘B’) and apron are also furnished with appropriate lighting aids. The maximum capacity of the parking apron is one Airbus, two Boeing 737-400s, two Fokker 50 and two Twin Otter or similar aircraft. Only bay 2 and 3 are equipped with aerobridges functioning on Visual Docking and Guidance System. The functional Runway is also equipped with landing aids such as the Middle Marker (MM), Glide Path (GP), the Localizer (LLZ) and the PAPI. All the stated instruments are installed to be utilized by aircraft to assist them during the final approach process and landing manoeuvres.
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
located in Sibu
Sibu, Sarawak
Sibu is an inland town, and the capital of Sibu District in Sibu Division, Sarawak, east Malaysia. It is located at the confluence of the Rajang and Igan Rivers, some 60 kilometres from the ocean and approximately east-north-east of the state capital Kuching...
, a town in the state of Sarawak
Sarawak
Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
in Malaysia. In 2010, the airport handled 1,009,002 passengers on 18,985 flights and also handled 1,133 metric tonnes of cargo.
In April 2009, the airport was given RM 150 million for an upgrade of the terminal building. Its terminal will be larger than Miri Airport
Miri Airport
Miri International Airport is an airport serving Miri, a city in the state of Sarawak in East Malaysia.Miri International Airport is the busiest domestic airport in the country, serving 1.5 million passengers in 2008. It is also one of the country's top three airports in terms of aircraft...
and Bintulu Airport
Bintulu Airport
Bintulu Airport is an airport serving Bintulu, a town in the state of Sarawak in Malaysia. The airport is located 5.5 km southwest of the city, and although small, it is able to handle planes as large as a Boeing 747...
.On September 23 2010,Sarawak Minister of Finance and Public Health, Dato' Sri Wong Soon Koh had announced that the expansion project is now on. The expansion project is estimated to be completed in September 2012.
Old Airport
The first airport in Sibu was built in Teku,during World War II by the Japanese as a basic air strip.However,the airstrip was heavily bombed by Allied Forces. After the war, the airport was further developed to house basic airport amenities such as departure lounge and public waiting area. The airport was capable to support Fokker F27 Friendship (and later Fokker 50) and Twin Otter flights.On 15 August 1990, a Lockheed C-130H Hercules belonging to the Royal Malaysian Air Force skidded off the runway and the aircraft had been written off. It was believed that those on board are part of the royal entourage visit to Sibu.
On 2 September 1992, a Fokker 50 aircraft landing gear failed, causing the aircraft to veered off the runway and into the bushes.
The old airport has been demolished to make way for Laila Taib College (formerly known as UCS-United College of Sarawak) & Tun Zaidi Stadium. The runway of the old airport can still be seen and half of it is used as the connecting road for the stadium.
New Airport
The actual official date of operation of the new airport began 1 June 1994. On 31 May 1994 the inaugural landing of four Malaysia AirlinesMalaysia Airlines
Malaysian Airline System Berhad , DBA Malaysia Airlines , is the government-owned flag carrier of Malaysia. Malaysia Airlines operates flights from its home base, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and its eastern hub in Kota Kinabalu. It has its headquarters on the grounds of Sultan Abdul Aziz...
aircraft occurred. To be precise, the aircraft were 3 Fokker 50 and 1 Boeing 737. They were the pioneers to land on the Sibu New Airport Runway which at that time measured 1,981 metres in length and 45 metres wide.
On that remarkably historical night, the air traffic clearance “Clear to land” was issued from the Sibu Air Traffic Control Tower on the assigned frequency 122.6 MHZ to the first Boeing 737-500 to land on the asphalt surface of the designated Runway 13.
That night not only marked the first landing of a turbo-prop commercial aircraft on Sibu ground but subsequently it also commemorated the commencement of operation of the new airport located 23 kilometres East South-East of Sibu town.
Sibu New Airport was built with a single runway designated as Runway 13/Runway 31. It was previously 1,981 metres long and 45 metres wide but since the completion of the extension under the 7th Malaysian Plan (RMK7) for ‘Sibu Airport Development Plan’, the length was extended to 2,745 metres. And the new runway length was commissioned to be used on the 9 May 2006. The extended length is able to cater the landing of an Airbus A330 or other wide bodied jet aircraft.
Runway 13 is equipped with an approach lighting system called Precision Approach Lighting Category 1, whereas Runway 31 with Simple Approach Lighting System. The other airside areas such as the taxiways (‘A’ and ‘B’) and apron are also furnished with appropriate lighting aids. The maximum capacity of the parking apron is one Airbus, two Boeing 737-400s, two Fokker 50 and two Twin Otter or similar aircraft. Only bay 2 and 3 are equipped with aerobridges functioning on Visual Docking and Guidance System. The functional Runway is also equipped with landing aids such as the Middle Marker (MM), Glide Path (GP), the Localizer (LLZ) and the PAPI. All the stated instruments are installed to be utilized by aircraft to assist them during the final approach process and landing manoeuvres.
Expansion Project
The airport is undergoing an expansion project that involves upgrading of the Terminal building, car park and additional aerobridges and is expected to be completed in September 2012. Once completed the airport will able to handle 1.9 million passengers annually. The cost of the expansion is RM130 million.Airlines and destinations
Traffic and statistics
| Years | Passenger Movements | Aircraft Movements | Cargo Movements in Metric Tonnes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 624,738 | 18,905 | 2,455 |
| 1996 | 654,7854.81% | 20,243 7.08% | 1,75828.39% |
| 1997 | 631,7013.53% | 19,551 3.42% | 1,9048.3% |
| 1998 | 555,48312.07% | 17,099 12.54% | 1,49921.27% |
| 1999 | 620,83011.76% | 16,096 5.87% | 1,74516.41% |
| 2000 | 657,3755.89% | 15,743 2.19% | 1,8747.39% |
| 2001 | 725,44910.36% | 16,995 7.95% | 2,0067.04% |
| 2002 | 759,7044.72% | 17,113 0.69% | 1,9164.49% |
| 2003 | 817,687 7.63% | 16,885 1.33% | 1,70111.22% |
| 2004 | 903,108 10.45% | 17,650 4.53% | 1,5677.88% |
| 2005 | 920,930 1.97% | 17,330 1.81% | 1,37712.13% |
| 2006 | 898,9232.39% | 15,638 9.76% | 1,04024.47% |
| 2007 | 809,9559.9% | 12,536 19.84% | 89214.23% |
| 2008 | 831,7722.7% | 14,672 17.00% | 73517.50% |
| 2009 | 939,73212.98% | 17,449 18.93% | 85616.46% |
| 2010 | 1,009,0027.4% | 18,985 8.80% | 1,13332.10% |
| Rank | Destinations | Departure (Weekly) | Arrival (Weekly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kuching | 56 | 56 |
| 2 | Kuala Lumpur | 35 | 35 |
| 3 | Kota Kinabalu | 21 | 21 |
| 4 | Miri | 21 | 21 |
| 5 | Bintulu | 14 | 14 |
| 6 | Johor Bahru | 4 | 4 |