Tawau Airport

Tawau Airport, opened in the mid-20th century (1950s), is a compact regional airport with a single main passenger terminal that handles domestic and short-haul flights across East Malaysia. As the primary gateway to southeastern Sabah and the popular dive hubs of Semporna and Mabul, it punches above its size in local importance and convenience. The airport is about a 15–25 minute drive from Tawau town with taxis, car hire and limited shuttle services linking to nearby resorts and bus routes for onward travel. Often served by AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines and MASwings, Tawau tends to be budget-friendly thanks to low-cost carriers and regional routes.