Sandakan Airport (WBKS)
Medium airport · Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia
Airport data
| Name | Sandakan Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | WBKS |
| IATA | SDK |
| Elevation | 46 ft (14 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 5°54'3" E 118°3'32" 5.90090, 118.05900 |
| Location | Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/26 | 8,202 ft (2500 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Sandakan Airport at a glance
Sandakan Airport is a medium airport in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia, known to airline systems as SDK. The field elevation of 46 ft (14 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at WBKS 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, 08/26, offers 8,202 ft (2500 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 08 points roughly 80° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for WBKS 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 Sandakan Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Lahad Datu Airport | WBKD | 101 km (55 NM) |
| Tawau Airport | WBKW | 177 km (96 NM) |
| Sanga Sanga Airport | RPMN | 209 km (113 NM) |
| Kota Kinabalu International Airport | WBKK | 222 km (120 NM) |
| Juwata International Airport / Suharnoko Harbani AFB | WAQQ | 292 km (158 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Sandakan Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 46 ft field elevation of Sandakan 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 Sandakan Airport
What is the ICAO code of Sandakan Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Sandakan Airport is WBKS, and its IATA code is SDK. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Sandakan Airport above sea level?
Sandakan Airport sits at an elevation of 46 feet (14 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Sandakan Airport located?
The airport lies at 5.9009, 118.0590 — in Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Lahad Datu Airport, about 101 km away.
Does WBKS publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for WBKS 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 Sandakan Airport?
Sandakan Airport has one runway. The longest, 08/26, measures 8,202 ft (2500 m) with a ASP surface.