Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (IATA: KBR, ICAO: WMKC) is an airport that serves Kota Bharu, a city in the state of Kelantan in Malaysia. Opened in September 2002, the new 12,000 m² airport terminal has three aircraft stands, three jet bridges and is able to handle 1.4 million passengers. The new terminal is equipped with facilities and services to cater to the increasing inflow of tourists to Kelantan. In 2009, the airport handled 1,003,162 passengers, with 13,709 commercial aircraft movements.

History

This airport is a former RAF base, RAF Kota Bharu, the scene of the first Japanese landing in Malaya in 8 December 1941.

After the war, the RAF military airfield was turned into a civilian airport. The passenger terminal was built as know as Pengkalan Chepa Airport.After the terminal was expantion dan built up again a new building, it know as Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, currently known as the old terminal or Asia Pacific Flight Training flying school. In 1999 the government announced, Sultan Ismail Petra Airport relocates to a new terminal building. The project started in September 2000 and completed in June 2002 with a total cost of approximately RM55 million.

Relocates New Building

The new terminal started operating from 12 September 2002. The building of Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Kota Bharu is Synonymous with the Islamic image of the state, this new terminal adapted the Moorish architecture. It has curved archways and is whiter in color. The airport has a 12000 square meter terminal with three aircraft stands and most modern and technically advanced navigation aids. It has three aerobridges, which can carry upto 1.45 million passengers. It is mainly a domestic airport with flights going to different parts of the country and to the nearby regions. The major airlines that have flights to this airport include Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia , Fireflyz and Silverfly.

The new terminal of the airport is equipped with all the modern facilities and services to meet the requirements of the innumerable tourists flying from and to this airport everyday. The basic services available include information and customer service desk, medical services, wheelchair services for the disabled travelers, police services and others. There are porter service also to help the travelers with their bags and baggages.

The major facilities that are found in these airports include shuttle & car rental representative counter ( Avis,Kayak & Expedia ),walk in car rental counter ( J&W car rental ), gift shops, florists, KFC restaurant and small eating joints. There are waiting rooms for the convenience of the travelers and one can also find bathrooms especially designed for the disabled travelers. The security system is good in the airport so as to ensure the safety of the tourists. Huge screen displaying the flight arrival and departure schedules can also be found in the airport.The Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Kota Bharu is one of the finest airports of the country providing its services to the large number of passengers included tourist. Its facilities are of high standards and makes traveling hassle free.

Expansion and Developments

In the third quarter of 2008, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad built a new hangar, a new apron, aircraft and helicopter parking bay and made taxiway improvements to cater to the growth of the Asia Pacific Flight Training flying school.

In October 2008, the government announced that it intends to extend the runway to a length of 2,400 m (7,874 ft).The Sultan Ismail Petra Airport serves Kota Bharu in Malaysia.

In May 2010 TRC Synergy Bhd’s unit Trans Resources Corp Sdn Bhd has secured a RM45.5mil contract to upgrade the Sultan Ismail Petra airport in Kota Baru.TRC said its unit received the letter of acceptance from Wira Akil Holdings Sdn Bhd .The letter of acceptance from Wira Akil is subsequent to an award being given by the Ministry of Transport to Wira Akil whereby TRC is named as the sub-contractor for the project.The project started in 14 June 2010 and expected completion on 11 September 2011.

Airlines and destinations

Charter Operator

MHS Aviation

• MHS Aviation is recognized as the one of the offshore helicopter services in Sultan Ismail Petra Airport. Specialize in the movement of personnel,ferrying workers to and from offshore production platforms,equipment to and from the offshore installation and drilling rigs mainly for oil companies in the Malaysia-Thailand joint development area ,South China Sea.

Ground Transports

Airport Taxi

In Sultan Airport Ismail Petra , there are airport taxi service which imposed freight rate follow destination's distance wish to be directed ,which located at the outside of the Arrival Hall.If was in city centre, can use taxi service located in Taxi Station, Jalan Doktor,which took time about 20 minutes journey with fair degree.

Bus

Also be bus which provides to the city is available, where the bus stop is located outside of the building.The airport is located 8 km from city centre.If was in city centre,bus service in bus station Jalan Pendek ( near with Kota Bharu Telekom building ).

• Cityliner ( SKMK ) No 22 Sabak ( airport )-Kota Bharu ( From airport )
• Cityliner ( SKMK ) No 22 Kota Bharu-Sabak( airport )( From City centre )

Gallery

Traffic and Statistics

The content above was published at Airports-Worldwide.com in 2010.
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