Sultan Ismail Petra Airport
Encyclopedia
Sultan Ismail Petra Airport is an airport
that operates in Kota Bharu
, a city in the state of Kelantan
in Malaysia. The airport is named after the thirteenth Sultan of Kelantan, who ruled from 1980 to 2010. The present new terminal was officially opened in September 2002. The 12,000 m² airport terminal has three aircraft stands, three aerobridges and is able to handle 1.4 million passengers.The three aerobridges were salvaged from the old Subang Airport and refurbished. The airport offers flights between a total of five domestic destinations from Malaysia Airlines
, AirAsia
and Firefly
and it does not offer any international flights at present. This made it the busiest airport in the East Coast of Malaysia by passenger traffic and aircraft traffic movement. In 2010, the airport handled 1,047,000 passengers, with 75,906 total aircraft movements.
being a former British military airfield that has the dubious honour of being the landing site of the Japanese invasion of Malaya during World War II
. The scene of the first Japanese landing in Malaya in 8 December 1941.
After the war, the RAF military airfield was turned into a civilian airport. The passenger terminal was built and was known as Pengkalan Chepa Airport. After the terminal was expanded and a new building was built, it became known as Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, currently known as the old terminal of the Asia Pacific Flight Training
flying school. In 1999, the government announced that the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport will be relocated to a new terminal building. The project started in September 2000 and was completed in June 2002 with a total cost of approximately RM55 million.
is synonymous with the Islamic image of the state. This new terminal adopted the Moorish architecture
. It has curved archways and is whiter in color. The airport has a 12,000 square meter terminal with three aircraft stands and the most modern and technically advanced navigational aids. It has three aerobridges, which can carry up to 1.45 million passengers.
The new terminal of the airport is equipped with all of the modern facilities and services to meet the requirements of the innumerable travelers flying to and from the airport everyday. The basic services available include information and customer service desk, medical services, wheelchair services for disabled travelers, police services and others. There are also porter services to help travelers with their luggage.
The major facilities that are found in this airport include shuttle and car rental representative counters (Hertz, Avis, Kayak, Expedia and J&W car rental), automated teller machines, currency exchange, gift shops, a KFC
restaurant and small eating joints. There are waiting rooms for the convenience of the travelers and one can also find bathrooms specially designed for disabled travelers. The security system is good in the airport so as to ensure the safety of the travelers. Huge screens displaying the flight arrival and departure schedules can also be found in the airport. The Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Kota Bharu
is one of the finest airports in the country providing its services to the large number of travelers. Its facilities are of high standards and this makes traveling hassle-free.
flying school.
In October 2008, the government announced that it intends to extend the runway to a length of 2,400 m (7,874 ft). The Sultan Ismail Petra Airport serves Kota Bharu
in Malaysia.
In May 2010, TRC Synergy Bhd’s unit, Trans Resources Corp Sdn Bhd has secured a RM45.5 million contract to upgrade the Sultan Ismail Petra airport in Kota Bharu. TRC said its unit received the letter of acceptance from Wira Akil Holdings Sdn Bhd. The letter of acceptance from Wira Akil is subsequent to an award being given by the Ministry of Transport to Wira Akil whereby TRC is named as the sub-contractor for the project. The project started on 14 June 2010 and includes the construction of a taxiway, helicopter pads, a meteorological station and instrument landing system (ILS). The airport runway has been lengthened from 1,981 m to 2,400 m, and can accommodate the Airbus A330
and Boeing 737-800. All works are slated for completion by September 2011.
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...
that operates in Kota Bharu
Kota Bharu
Kota Bharu is a city in Malaysia, is the state capital and Royal City of Kelantan. It is also the name of the territory in which Kota Bharu City is situated. The name means 'new city' or 'new castle/fort' in Malay. Kota Bharu is situated in the northeastern part of Peninsular Malaysia, and lies...
, a city in the state of Kelantan
Kelantan
Kelantan is a state of Malaysia. The capital and royal seat is Kota Bharu. The Arabic honorific of the state is Darul Naim, ....
in Malaysia. The airport is named after the thirteenth Sultan of Kelantan, who ruled from 1980 to 2010. The present new terminal was officially opened in September 2002. The 12,000 m² airport terminal has three aircraft stands, three aerobridges and is able to handle 1.4 million passengers.The three aerobridges were salvaged from the old Subang Airport and refurbished. The airport offers flights between a total of five domestic destinations from 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...
, 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...
and Firefly
Firefly
Lampyridae is a family of insects in the beetle order Coleoptera. They are winged beetles, and commonly called fireflies or lightning bugs for their conspicuous crepuscular use of bioluminescence to attract mates or prey. Fireflies produce a "cold light", with no infrared or ultraviolet frequencies...
and it does not offer any international flights at present. This made it the busiest airport in the East Coast of Malaysia by passenger traffic and aircraft traffic movement. In 2010, the airport handled 1,047,000 passengers, with 75,906 total aircraft movements.
History
The airport is a former RAF base, RAF Kota BharuRAF Kota Bharu
RAF Kota Bharu was a former Royal Air Force WWII airfield at Kota Bharu, Malaysia. The airfield was occupied by the Imperial Japanese in December 1941 during World War II. It is now Sultan Ismail Petra Airport....
being a former British military airfield that has the dubious honour of being the landing site of the Japanese invasion of Malaya during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The scene of the first Japanese landing in Malaya in 8 December 1941.
After the war, the RAF military airfield was turned into a civilian airport. The passenger terminal was built and was known as Pengkalan Chepa Airport. After the terminal was expanded and a new building was built, it became known as Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, currently known as the old terminal of the Asia Pacific Flight Training
Asia Pacific Flight Training
Asia Pacific Flight Training Sdn. Bhd. , is a flying academy located at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia....
flying school. In 1999, the government announced that the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport will be relocated to a new terminal building. The project started in September 2000 and was completed in June 2002 with a total cost of approximately RM55 million.
Relocating to the New Building
The new terminal started operating from 12 September 2002. The building of Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Kota BharuKota Bharu
Kota Bharu is a city in Malaysia, is the state capital and Royal City of Kelantan. It is also the name of the territory in which Kota Bharu City is situated. The name means 'new city' or 'new castle/fort' in Malay. Kota Bharu is situated in the northeastern part of Peninsular Malaysia, and lies...
is synonymous with the Islamic image of the state. This new terminal adopted the Moorish architecture
Moorish architecture
Moorish architecture is the western term used to describe the articulated Berber-Islamic architecture of North Africa and Al-Andalus.-Characteristic elements:...
. It has curved archways and is whiter in color. The airport has a 12,000 square meter terminal with three aircraft stands and the most modern and technically advanced navigational aids. It has three aerobridges, which can carry up to 1.45 million passengers.
The new terminal of the airport is equipped with all of the modern facilities and services to meet the requirements of the innumerable travelers flying to and from the airport everyday. The basic services available include information and customer service desk, medical services, wheelchair services for disabled travelers, police services and others. There are also porter services to help travelers with their luggage.
The major facilities that are found in this airport include shuttle and car rental representative counters (Hertz, Avis, Kayak, Expedia and J&W car rental), automated teller machines, currency exchange, gift shops, a KFC
KFC
KFC, founded and also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is a chain of fast food restaurants based in Louisville, Kentucky, in the United States. KFC has been a brand and operating segment, termed a concept of Yum! Brands since 1997 when that company was spun off from PepsiCo as Tricon Global...
restaurant and small eating joints. There are waiting rooms for the convenience of the travelers and one can also find bathrooms specially designed for disabled travelers. The security system is good in the airport so as to ensure the safety of the travelers. Huge screens displaying the flight arrival and departure schedules can also be found in the airport. The Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Kota Bharu
Kota Bharu
Kota Bharu is a city in Malaysia, is the state capital and Royal City of Kelantan. It is also the name of the territory in which Kota Bharu City is situated. The name means 'new city' or 'new castle/fort' in Malay. Kota Bharu is situated in the northeastern part of Peninsular Malaysia, and lies...
is one of the finest airports in the country providing its services to the large number of travelers. Its facilities are of high standards and this makes traveling hassle-free.
Expansion and Developments
In the third quarter of 2008, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad built a new hangar, a new apron, new aircraft and helicopter parking bays and made taxiway improvements to cater to the growth of the Asia Pacific Flight TrainingAsia Pacific Flight Training
Asia Pacific Flight Training Sdn. Bhd. , is a flying academy located at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia....
flying school.
In October 2008, the government announced that it intends to extend the runway to a length of 2,400 m (7,874 ft). The Sultan Ismail Petra Airport serves Kota Bharu
Kota Bharu
Kota Bharu is a city in Malaysia, is the state capital and Royal City of Kelantan. It is also the name of the territory in which Kota Bharu City is situated. The name means 'new city' or 'new castle/fort' in Malay. Kota Bharu is situated in the northeastern part of Peninsular Malaysia, and lies...
in Malaysia.
In May 2010, TRC Synergy Bhd’s unit, Trans Resources Corp Sdn Bhd has secured a RM45.5 million contract to upgrade the Sultan Ismail Petra airport in Kota Bharu. TRC said its unit received the letter of acceptance from Wira Akil Holdings Sdn Bhd. The letter of acceptance from Wira Akil is subsequent to an award being given by the Ministry of Transport to Wira Akil whereby TRC is named as the sub-contractor for the project. The project started on 14 June 2010 and includes the construction of a taxiway, helicopter pads, a meteorological station and instrument landing system (ILS). The airport runway has been lengthened from 1,981 m to 2,400 m, and can accommodate the Airbus A330
Airbus A330
The Airbus A330 is a wide-body twin-engine jet airliner made by Airbus, a division of EADS. Versions of the A330 have a range of and can accommodate up to 335 passengers in a two-class layout or carry of cargo....
and Boeing 737-800. All works are slated for completion by September 2011.
Operating Hours
The airport's normal operating hours are between 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. In the event of flight delays, the airport will remain open until the flight has taken off or has been cancelled.Airlines and destinations
MHS Aviation
- MHS AviationMHS AviationMHS Aviation Berhad, operating as MHS Aviation is a non-scheduled airline company based in Malaysia. Its main operation are mainly based on Oil and Gas industry, where their helicopters transporting personnels to offshore rigs. Its main clients are Petronas, Shell, ExxonMobil and others. Besides...
is recognized as the leading provider of helicopter charter services in Sultan Ismail Petra Airport. Specializing in the movement of personnel, ferrying workers to and from offshore production platforms, equipment to and from the offshore installation and drilling rigs mainly for oil companies in the Malaysia-Thailand joint development areaMalaysia-Thailand joint development areaThe Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area is a 7,250 km square area in the Gulf of Thailand which was created as an interim measure to exploit the natural resources in the seabed or continental shelf claimed by the two countries and to share the proceeds equally. The arrangement does not...
, South China Sea.
Weststar Aviation
- Weststar Aviation is the other charter offshore helicopter operator which operates from this airport to oil and gas companies in the Malaysia-Thailand joint development areaMalaysia-Thailand joint development areaThe Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area is a 7,250 km square area in the Gulf of Thailand which was created as an interim measure to exploit the natural resources in the seabed or continental shelf claimed by the two countries and to share the proceeds equally. The arrangement does not...
, South China Sea.
Airport Taxi
At the Sultan Ismail Petra airport, there is an airport taxi service which imposes freight rate based on the destination's distance from the airport, which is located at the outside of the Arrival Hall. In the city centre, the taxi service located in Taxi Station, Jalan Doktor can be used which is a 20 minute journey (The fare is between RM35 and RM40 as of June 2011).Bus
Buses which provide transportation to the city are also available, where the bus stop is located outside of the building. The airport is located 8 km away from the city centre. In the city centre, the bus service is located at the bus station in Jalan Pendek (RM1.80 hourly, from 7AM to 7PM, duration c. 20 minutes).- Cityliner No 9 Sabak ( airport )-Kota Bharu ( From airport )
- Cityliner No 9 Kota Bharu-Sabak( airport )( From City centre )
Traffic and Statistics
| Years | Passenger Movements | Aircraft Movements | Cargo Movements in Metric Tonnes | Cargo Movements in Kilograms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 589,950 | 10,010 | 315 | 694 |
| 2004 | 639,871 | 11,869 | 235 | 518 |
| 2005 | 635,397 | 11,194 | 168 | 370 |
| 2006 | 678,306 | 38,352 | 210 | 462 |
| 2007 | 759,316 | 58,996 | 163 | 163,433 |
| 2008 | 836,060 | 57,102 | 181 | 181,327 |
| 2009 | 1,003,162 | 74,863 | 185 | 185 |
| 2010 | 1,047,000 | 75,906 | 177 | 177 |
External links
- Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Kota Bharu at Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Real Time Flight Schedule
- Sultan Ismail Petra Airport Real Time Flight Schedule
- Malaysia Airlines official website
- Malaysia Airlines-Sultan Ismail Petra Airport Flight Info
- AirAsia official website
- AirAsia-Sultan Ismail Petra Airport Flight Info
- Fireflyz official website
- Firefly Latest Timetable
- MHS Aviation official website
- MHS Aviation Sultan Ismail Petra Airport contact no
- Asia Pacific Flight Training official website
- J&W Car Rental Sultan Ismail Petra Airport
- Avis Malaysia official website
- Cityliner ( SKMK ) buses schedule and frequency