Overview
Flying into Lahad Datu Airport will more than likely give some wonderful photo opportunities as the end of the runway is only a kilometre of so from Darval Bay with its scattering of islands and mangrove swamps. The airport is only a kilometre or so from Lahad Datu so getting between the two is fairly simple.
In 2012 cargo weighing 185 tonnes was handled at the airport along with 142,733 passengers arriving and departing on 3,147 aircraft. The airport is public and operated and managed by Public Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad.
There a few international style hotels now as the industry surrounding the local oil palm and cocoa expands. They are all in the town centre and the Asia Hotel is nearest to the bus station.
Terminals
Lahad Datu is only a tiny airport, the terminal measures 35 metres in length, and the building looks more like a convenience store than an airport terminal. Improvements in recent years have upgraded the facilities and there are now shops, a café and a restaurant. It wasn’t so many years ago passengers had to go across the road to the shop to get something to eat or drink.
There are not many flights a day and they have been known to leave several minutes before there scheduled departure times so don’t leave it to the last minute to get there!
Flights and Destinations
MASwings – Kota Kinabalu
Transport To and From the Airport
There are car rentals available at the airport, but it may be better to pre-book so your vehicle can be waiting for you on arrival.
The town is within walking distance and more or less surrounds the airport on three sides.
Lahad Datu is not really a tourist place and is mainly used as a transit town for visitors to the Danum Valley Conservation Area and Tabin Wildlife Reserve.