Lahad Datu Airport (IATA: LDU, ICAO: WBKD) is an airport located in the southeastern part of the Malaysian state of Sabah. The airport, which is situated approximately 1 km (0.62 mi) from downtown Lahad Datu, serves the town of Lahad Datu and its neighbouring districts such as Kinabatangan, FELDA Sahabat, and Kunak. The airport can accommodate aircraft as large as the ATR72, and the terminal building can handle up to 100,000 passengers annually. In 2016, the airport handled 140,077 passengers and 3,713 aircraft movements.[1]
The airport's front entrance
Present
Currently the airport has basic facilities and amenities to facilitate turboprop aircraft operations. However no radar or Atc services are available with radio positioning feedback to be liaise directly with Kota Kinabalu FIR.[3] All approaches are conducted visually with the airport usually closed by sunset. Depending on the weather condition, the usual cut off time is 6.20pm / 1820 hrs. The apron at the terminal is also configured to take in two turboprop aircraft such as the Fokker 50 and Atr 72.[4] However, there is no refuelling facility present at this airport.
The airport also has a military hangar constructed. The hangar operates as a forward base for the Malaysia civil defense and military of malaysia under Eastern Sabah Security Command.[5] Build for Helicopter operations the hangar supports Medium-lift heli operations.[6]
