Kota Kinabalu International Airport (WBKK)
Large airport · Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Airport data
| Name | Kota Kinabalu International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | WBKK |
| IATA | BKI |
| Elevation | 10 ft (3 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 5°55'58" E 116°2'58" 5.93274, 116.04932 |
| Location | Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/20 | 12,402 ft (3780 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Kota Kinabalu International Airport at a glance
Kota Kinabalu International Airport is a large airport in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, known to airline systems as BKI. The field elevation of 10 ft (3 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at WBKK are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 02/20, offers 12,402 ft (3780 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 02 points roughly 20° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for WBKK shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Kota Kinabalu International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Labuan Airport | WBKL | 113 km (61 NM) |
| Brunei International Airport | WBSB | 166 km (90 NM) |
| Limbang Airport | WBGJ | 170 km (92 NM) |
| Sandakan Airport | WBKS | 222 km (120 NM) |
| Mulu Airport | WBMU | 251 km (136 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Kota Kinabalu International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 10 ft field elevation of Kota Kinabalu International Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 29 airports and airfields we list for Malaysia — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Kota Kinabalu International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Kota Kinabalu International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Kota Kinabalu International Airport is WBKK, and its IATA code is BKI. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Kota Kinabalu International Airport above sea level?
Kota Kinabalu International Airport sits at an elevation of 10 feet (3 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Kota Kinabalu International Airport located?
The airport lies at 5.9327, 116.0493 — in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Labuan Airport, about 113 km away.
Does WBKK publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for WBKK appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Kota Kinabalu International Airport?
Kota Kinabalu International Airport has one runway. The longest, 02/20, measures 12,402 ft (3780 m) with a ASP surface.