Kota Kinabalu International Airport (IATA: BKI, ICAO: WBKK) is the main gateway to Sabah, a Malaysian state on the island of Borneo, and the second busiest airport in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The airport is located approximately 8 kilometres southwest of Kota Kinabalu city centre.
Originally known as Jesselton Airfield during World War II, the airport has undergone various phases of upgrade and today operates a single terminal building (Terminal 1) that opened in 2008, offering all the conveniences of a modern airport. The terminal has a capacity to handle 9 million passengers per year and currently handles a peak-hour throughput of 3,200 passengers.
The airport serves as a hub for AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, and Batik Air, connecting Kota Kinabalu with domestic destinations across Malaysia and international destinations including Singapore, Seoul, and various points in Borneo. In January 2026, the airport recorded a 23.5% growth in passenger traffic to 802,000 passengers.
The airport is operated by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) and is equipped with a single runway capable of handling large aircraft such as the Boeing 747, along with five aerobridges and three other parking stands.