Tawau Airport

Infobox Airport
name = Tawau Airport
nativename = Lapangan Terbang Tawau

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IATA = TWU
ICAO = WBKW
type = Public
owner =
operator = Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad
city-served =
location = Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia
elevation-f = 57
elevation-m = 17
coordinates = nowrap|coord|04|18|48|N|118|07|19|E|type:airport_region:MY
website =
metric-rwy = y
r1-number = 06/24
r1-length-f = 8,800
r1-length-m = 2,682
r1-surface = Asphalt
stat-year = 2005
stat1-header = Passengers
stat1-data = 680,901
stat2-header = Aircraft movements
stat2-data = 8,500+
footnotes = Sources: official web site [http://www.malaysiaairports.com.my/index.php?ch=17&pg=55&ac=184 Tawau Airport, Sabah] at Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad] and DAFIFWAD|WBKW|source=DAFIF] GCM|TWU|source=DAFIF]

Tawau Airport (Malay : Lapangan Terbang Tawau) airport codes|TWU|WBKW formerly (Tawau International Airport) is an airport located in Tawau, a town in the state of Sabah in Malaysia. It is the second airport in Sabah with immigration counters for international flights. The airport is 31 km from town. The new runway could cater for aircraft as big as Airbus series. The airports now handles only domestic flights from Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Kuala Lumpur. International flights to Tarakan in East Kalimantan, Indonesia are currently suspended.

Like other airports in the country, Tawau Airport is under the management of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd.

History

During the early days, Tawau airport was located on Jalan Utara, literally known as Northern road about 2 miles away from Tawau. The airport was officially opened in 1968 by the former Transport Minister of Malaysia, Tan Sri Haji Sardon. It was only used to cater to small aircraft, such as Fokker 50.

In the early 80's, Malaysia Airlines (MAS)'s Boeing 737 made a maiden flight to Tawau airport after the runaway had been broaden. It has been taking in flights from Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Lahad Datu since then.

However on 15 September 1995, a Malaysian Airlines Fokker 50 from Kota Kinabalu touched down 500m before the end of the 2200m long runway. While attempting to carry out a go-around, the aircraft crashed into a Malay village, kampung Seri Menanti, causing 34 fatalities including two crews [ [http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19950915-0 Aircraft accident Fokker 50 9M-MGH Tawau Airport (TWU) on 15 Sep 1995] ] .

Earlier, on March 20, 1995 a Cessna Caravan cargo plane had also crashed into houses following a failed take-off. Another Boeing 737 plane was skidded off the runway in October 2001 without any causing any injuries to the passengers.

According to a survey, the old airport has one of the shortest runways in the country. Soon, a new international airport was in the government blue plan to shift Tawau airport to a new location along Tawau - Semporna highway, 30km from Tawau.

The airport was subsequently opened to public in December 2001. In year 2003, Tawau Airport was officially launched by the former Transport Minister of Malaysia, Tun Dr. Ling Liong Sik. Tawau Airport became the second largest airport in Sabah after Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

Overview

Tawau Airport is located at Balung, 3KM further in from airport highway. Tawau Airport was to be built as the most southeast international airport in Malaysia. However, the airport is still unable to gain its international airport status due to lack of international flights.
*RunwayTawau airport has a 2683m long fully service runway, namely runway 06 and runway 24. Runway 24 is equipped with Instrument Landing System(ILS) while runway 06 doesn't. The runway is long enough to cater wide-bodied aircraft.
*Airport TerminalThe terminal is a one and a half stories building, which consists of 2 aerobridges, and its large appron can accommodate 7 aircraft at one time. In term of airport facilities, 11 check-in counters are provided, with 2 immigration counters at departure hall and another 8 at international arrival hall. Restaurants, souvenir shops, VIP room and airlines airport offices can also be found here.
*Car ParkOpen air car park is provided with 500 parking lots.
*Police StationAn airport police station is located just at the opposite of the main terminal building.
*Taxi and Town Shuttle Bus ServiceTaxi coupon or town shuttle bus ticket can be bought at the respective counters inside the terminal.
*Traffic and Passenger FlowIn 2005, 680,901 passengers went through the airport with more than 8,500 aircraft movements.

Airlines and destinations

Passenger Airlines

{| border=1 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=160 style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 90%; text-align: center;"
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"Tawau Airport"
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"Aerobridge"
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"Aerobridge"
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"Indoor Garden"
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"Main Entrance"
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"Indoor Shopping"
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"Arc roof"

Cargo airlines

*Transmile Air Services

Military

*Royal Malaysian Air Force

Past airlines and routes

*AirAsia (Johor Bahru)
**FlyAsianXpress (Sandakan) (Operations Ceased)
*Bouraq Indonesia Airlines (Tarakan) (Operations Ceased)
*Malaysia Airlines (Lahad Datu, Sandakan, Tarakan)
*Merpati Nusantara Airlines (Balikpapan)

References

External links

* [http://www.malaysiaairports.com.my/index.php?ch=17&pg=55&ac=184 Tawau Airport, Sabah] at Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad
*NWS-current|WBKW
*ASN|TWU