Bintulu Airport
Encyclopedia
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. In 2008, the airport handled 417,918 passengers and 16,787 aircraft movements.
Bintulu old airport was open for operation on 1 September 1955, with a grass-surface runway catering for de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide and Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer
aircraft operated by Borneo Airways Limited
.
In 1963, bigger types of aircraft such as DC-3 services were introduced. In 1966, the runway was resurfaced with bitumen and the terminal building was also extended to cater for increasing number of passenger.
On 1 July 1968, Malaysia-Singapore Airlines
introduced scheduled Fokker 27 services into Bintulu. The terminal building and the parking apron was extended in 1981 to accommodate Fokker 50 aircraft.
In September 2005, first low-cost airline in Malaysia, AirAsia
started operating in Bintulu airport. FlyAsianXpress (FAX),subsidiary company for AirAsia
has taken over major domestic routes linking Bintulu
, started its operation on 1 August 2006, until 30 September 2007. On 1 October 2007, Malaysia Airlines
subsidiary, MASwings
took over the link connecting Bintulu.
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...
serving Bintulu
Bintulu
Bintulu is a coastal town, and the capital of Bintulu District in the Bintulu Division of Sarawak, Malaysia. It is about 650 kilometers from Kuching and about 215 kilometers from either Sibu or Miri....
, 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. 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. In 2008, the airport handled 417,918 passengers and 16,787 aircraft movements.
History
History of Bintulu airport began in early 1937 when the British colony built an airfield situated between a river at one end and the sea coast at the other end.Bintulu old airport was open for operation on 1 September 1955, with a grass-surface runway catering for de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide and Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer
Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Green, William. Macdonald Aircraft Handbook. London. Macdonald & Co. Ltd., 1964.*Donald, David, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing, 1997. ISBN 1-85605-375-X....
aircraft operated by Borneo Airways Limited
Borneo Airways
Borneo Airways is a former airline based in Brirish Borneo . There were two separate companies: Borneo Airways Limited , and Borneo Airways ....
.
In 1963, bigger types of aircraft such as DC-3 services were introduced. In 1966, the runway was resurfaced with bitumen and the terminal building was also extended to cater for increasing number of passenger.
On 1 July 1968, Malaysia-Singapore Airlines
Malaysia-Singapore Airlines
Malaysia-Singapore Airlines came into being in 1966 as a result of a joint ownership of the airline by the governments of Malaysia and Singapore. The airline ceased operations after 6 years in 1972 when both governments decided to set up their own national airlines...
introduced scheduled Fokker 27 services into Bintulu. The terminal building and the parking apron was extended in 1981 to accommodate Fokker 50 aircraft.
In September 2005, first low-cost airline in Malaysia, AirAsia
AirAsia
AirAsia Berhad is a Malaysian-based low-cost airline. AirAsia is Asia's largest low-fare, no-frills airline and a pioneer of low-cost travel in Asia. AirAsia group operates scheduled domestic and international flights to over 400 destinations spanning 25 countries. Its main hub is the Low-Cost...
started operating in Bintulu airport. FlyAsianXpress (FAX),subsidiary company for AirAsia
AirAsia
AirAsia Berhad is a Malaysian-based low-cost airline. AirAsia is Asia's largest low-fare, no-frills airline and a pioneer of low-cost travel in Asia. AirAsia group operates scheduled domestic and international flights to over 400 destinations spanning 25 countries. Its main hub is the Low-Cost...
has taken over major domestic routes linking Bintulu
Bintulu
Bintulu is a coastal town, and the capital of Bintulu District in the Bintulu Division of Sarawak, Malaysia. It is about 650 kilometers from Kuching and about 215 kilometers from either Sibu or Miri....
, started its operation on 1 August 2006, until 30 September 2007. On 1 October 2007, Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia 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...
subsidiary, MASwings
MASwings
MASwings Sdn. Berhad is a regional airline operating the Rural Air Services in East Malaysia. It took over the RAS previously operated by FlyAsianXpress. The first flight was on 1 October 2007,which is also the anniversary of the founding of Malaysia Airlines in 1972. Its headquarters are in Jalan...
took over the link connecting Bintulu.
Airlines and destinations
Traffic and statistics
| Years | Passenger Movements | Aircraft Movements | Cargo Movements in Metric Tonnes | Cargo Movements in Kilograms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 427,894 | 13,627 | 940 | 2,072 |
| 2004 | 464,576 | 13,546 | 1,375 | 3,031 |
| 2005 | 487,077 | 13,619 | 2,110 | 4,651 |
| 2006 | 449,673 | 11,804 | 2,205 | 4,861 |
| 2007 | 381,158 | 7,093 | 2,252 | 2,251,766 |
| 2008 | 417,918 | 16,787 | 1,978 | 1,978,424 |
| 2009 | 487,060 | 15,009 | 1,903 | 1,903,000 |
| 2010 | 557,459 | 24,246 | 1,703 | 1,703,000 |
External links
- Bintulu Airport, Sarawak at Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad