Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) is the main gateway into Sabah and the second busiest airport in Malaysia. It is located about 4 miles from the city of Kota Kinabalu, which is less than 15 minutes car ride from the city center. Taxis are readily available in city center, or hotels and resorts. The taxi fare should be less than RM 20 from city center.
Kota Kinabalu International Airport receives around 4 million passengers annually from domestic and international flights. The number of travellers coming to Sabah increases annually. Hence, KKIA is currently undergoing a major renovation at this time. When completed, it will greatly modernize the airport and improve the experience for visitors. KKIA has 2 terminals to receive visitors, Terminal 1 for International flights and Terminal 2 for Domestics flights.
Terminal 1
Terminal 1 is the main terminal of KKIA. It is currently undergoing a massive renovation and expansion. When completed, it will include 12 gates and 5 airbridges. It will have the capacity to handle 2.5 million passenger annually, going through state of art security systems. There are duty-free shops, restaurants, offices for travel agencies and facilities such as airport lounges. The main operating airline in this terminal will be our very own Malaysia Airlines.
To make sure you arrive at the right terminal, you should be travelling via Putatan road (Jalan Putatan). This is important, if you arrive at Terminal 1 and your flight boards in Terminal 2, you Will not be able to check in. Terminal 2 is located across the runway, quite a distance away from Terminal 1. It is not connected to Terminal 1 and cannot be accessed by walking. You will need to take a taxi to Terminal 2, about 10 minutes by car.
Terminal 2
There is a history behind Terminal 2. Today’s Terminal 2 used to be the original airport terminal back in the old days. Before it was reopened in January 2007, it underwent major and extensive renovation to upgrade and expand the Terminal. The Terminal 2 (T2) is complete with modern facilities, retail outlets, restaurants and travel agents. Terminal 2′s main user is Malaysia’s low cost carrier, Air Asia. At this time, it is used to serve low cost carriers and cargo air transporters, although it is understood that it will not actually be a Low Cost Carrier Terminal.
To get to Terminal 2, you travel via Mat Salleh road (Jalan Mat Salleh) which will take you to Tanjung Aru. Tanjung Aru is the most popular beach in Kota Kinabalu, and there is a selection of hotels and resorts available. Hotel reservations in Sabah can be made online.
KKIA T1 updates…source from http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=465525&page=8
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