General : KKIA Flight Operations Disrupted By Temporary Runway Closure

Several flights at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) experienced delays, cancellations, or diversions on an evening when the runway was temporarily closed for rectification works. Flights arriving from Tawau, Johor Baru, Kuala Lumpur, and Guangzhou were listed as delayed on the airport's flight information display around 5:40pm, with at least two arriving flights from Lahad Datu and Labuan also cancelled.

The runway closure, which was initially scheduled for two hours from 2:45pm, was extended to 5pm to 8pm following a new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Sabah Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM). Malaysia Airports stated that the runway would reopen once safety inspections and clearing works were completed.

Several arriving flights were diverted to Labuan and Sandakan following the runway closure. Passenger Mohd Rasedi Che Mamat, 67, who was on a flight to Sandakan for a medical check-up, expressed his worry about the long delay, as it was difficult for him to sit for such a long time and his backside was hurting. He informed Bernama that the delay was very difficult for him, as he had to sit for an extended period, causing discomfort.

Rasedi, who had travelled to Kota Kinabalu for a heart-related medical check-up at Queen Elizabeth Hospital II, opted to fly back to Sandakan as travelling by road would be challenging due to his condition. He stated that if the delay continued until the next day, he was unsure how he would manage to sit in the airport for so long.

Another passenger, Mohd Firman Syah Zainal, 32, who came from Sipitang, 145km away, shared his concern about his flight to Kuala Lumpur, which was originally scheduled for 6pm. The flight was delayed to 8:45pm and he feared it could be further delayed or cancelled. He expressed worry for his hometown, which was far away, as it took three hours to reach from Kota Kinabalu.

He mentioned that he had to report for work in Kuala Lumpur the following day, and he was very worried about the potential cancellation or further delay of his flight.