Wartime Origins and Construction

The site of Sandakan Airport was first identified by the British Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II as a potential location for a military airfield. However, the project was still in its early stages when Japanese forces invaded Borneo in early 1942. Recognizing the strategic value of the location, the Japanese military completed the airfield as a refueling stop for aircraft traveling between Malaya and the Philippines.

The airfield was constructed under extreme conditions using forced labor. Approximately 1,500 British and Australian prisoners of war (POWs) transported from Singapore to Sandakan, along with local and Javanese laborers, built a 1,400-meter (4,593 feet) runway on challenging tufa soil. The construction was marked by severe abuse, malnutrition and disease among the workers.

The airfield became operational in December 1942, with the landing of Japanese General Yamawaki Masataka. However, as the tide of the war turned against Japan, the airfield’s strategic importance diminished. By 1945, it was abandoned by Japanese forces, and the remaining POWs were evacuated, many of whom perished during the infamous Sandakan Death Marches.

Transition to Civil Aviation

Following World War II, the airfield, originally constructed by the Japanese, was repurposed for civilian use to aid in the post-war reconstruction of Sandakan and the wider North Borneo region, later known as Sabah. In the 1950s, Sandakan Airport began establishing itself as a key hub for commercial aviation.

Malayan Airways commenced regular flights to Sandakan, connecting the town with Singapore with stopovers in Kuching, Sibu, Labuan and Jesselton. The airline initially operated Douglas DC-3 aircraft, and the airport became the terminus for eastbound flights across British Borneo, integrating Sandakan into the regional air transport network.

In 1953, Sabah Airways (later known as Borneo Airways) established Sandakan Airport as its base, boosting the airport's regional prominence. The airline operated a route connecting Tawau, Lahad Datu, Sandakan, Jesselton and Labuan until its operations were eventually centralized at Labuan Airport.

International flights at Sandakan Airport also began with Cathay Pacific operating services between Hong Kong, Manila, Jesselton and Labuan. Similar to Malayan Airways, both Borneo Airways and Cathay Pacific utilized Douglas DC-3 aircraft for these mainline routes.

Economic Growth and Airport Expansion

The expansion of natural resource industries in Sabah during the 1960s through the 1980s contributed to Sandakan’s growing role as the state's second-largest town. The airport became an essential link for trade and commerce. During this period, the airport saw the introduction of larger turboprop aircraft, such as the Fokker 27, and by the 1980s, Boeing 737 jetliners began operating at the airport. Significant infrastructure upgrades, including runway extensions and terminal improvements, supported the increased capacity needed to handle rising passenger and cargo traffic, further strengthening the airport’s connectivity and role in regional economic development.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Sandakan Airport underwent further modernization to support its growing capacity. Upgrades to navigational systems, cargo facilities and passenger amenities were implemented to enhance the efficiency of airport operations. These improvements aligned with the growth of the region's eco-tourism sector and contributed to the airport's ability to manage both domestic and international flights more effectively.

By the early 2000s, Sandakan Airport achieved record growth, handling 621,513 passengers and nearly 11,000 aircraft movements in 2005. The introduction of international routes to Zamboanga, Philippines, by carriers such as South Phoenix Airways, Southeast Asian Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Asian Spirit further boosted its role in regional connectivity.

Recent Developments

In May 2013, Sandakan Airport commenced a major terminal expansion project aimed at increasing capacity. The terminal was expanded to 12,500 square meters, with a handling capacity of 750 passengers per hour (PPH). The expansion was completed ahead of schedule in October 2014, enhancing both the passenger experience and operational capacity.

In 2017, an RM 80 million runway extension project was announced to meet the growing operational demands of the airport. The project, completed in June 2022, extended the runway to 2,500 meters (8,202 feet) and introduced Taxiway Bravo. Runway 08 was upgraded with an Instrument Landing System (ILS), while Runway 26 was equipped with VOR and RNAV approach capabilities, improving the airport’s navigational infrastructure.

The extended runway now allows unrestricted takeoff for narrow-body aircraft such as the Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A320/A321, and limited operations for wide-body aircraft like the Airbus A330.