Miri Airport Expands as Borneo's New Aviation Hub in 2026
Malaysia’s Ministry of Economy has approved a RM445 million (approximately USD 100 million) upgrade to Miri Airport in Sarawak under the country’s 13th Malaysia Plan. The project, now underway in 2026, will expand the terminal building from 16,900 to 25,000 square metres and increase annual passenger handling capacity from two million to four million.
The expansion is already drawing more airline attention to northern Borneo. AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Scoot, and Singapore Airlines have each added or expanded routes to Miri in 2026, with a surge in visitors from Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, and China following the 14th Miri City International Deep Sea Fishing Tournament.
AirBorneo launches with jet services in July 2026
AirBorneo, a new airline owned by the Sarawak state government, is scheduled to begin jet aircraft operations in July 2026. Initial routes will serve Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Kota Kinabalu, and Jakarta. The launch adds a Sarawak-based carrier to a market previously served only by peninsular Malaysia’s national and low-cost airlines, giving the state direct control over its regional air connectivity.
What improved access means for Borneo travelers
More frequent flights and new competing carriers typically push fares lower. For travelers planning a Borneo itinerary that combines Miri with access to UNESCO World Heritage sites — Gunung Mulu National Park and the Kinabalu National Park — better connectivity reduces both cost and planning complexity.
Gunung Mulu is reachable from Miri by a 45-minute Royal Malaysian Air Services (MASWings) turboprop flight or a river journey. Niah Caves National Park, which contains some of Southeast Asia’s oldest evidence of human habitation dating back approximately 40,000 years, sits roughly 100km by road from Miri.
How Visit Malaysia 2026 connects
Miri’s expansion is part of a broader push under Malaysia’s Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, which has already attracted record first-quarter arrivals nationally — over ten million tourists between January and March, the highest Q1 figure on record for the country.
Planning a trip to Borneo
Our Miri city guide covers arrival logistics, accommodation, and how to organise access to the national parks. For broader Borneo itineraries, our Kota Kinabalu guide covers Sabah’s capital and gateway to Kinabalu, and our Kuching guide covers Sarawak’s colonial capital and access to Bako National Park. Seasonal advice for travel to Borneo — including the best months to avoid heavy rainfall in Sarawak — is in our Malaysia travel planning guide.