Long Akah Airport

Long Akah Airport is a small airstrip in the interior of Sarawak, Malaysia, roughly 150 kilometres southeast of Miri as the crow flies. It serves the Penan and Kayan communities scattered along the upper Baram River, functioning as a lifeline for an area that lacks road access in the dry season and becomes all but isolated when rain turns the logging tracks to mud. The airport does not see daily flights — services run on a limited schedule, typically on weekdays, and are operated by MASwings using Twin Otter or ATR aircraft. For travellers, Long Akah is not a destination in itself but a starting point: the runway sits at the edge of a village, and from here you walk or take a boat deeper into the forest to reach longhouses, waterfalls, and trails that see very few outsiders.

Getting There

Reaching Long Akah Airport from Miri requires either a flight or a combination of road and river transport. The flight is the simplest option: MASwings operates a scheduled service from Miri Airport (MYY) that takes about 45 minutes in a Twin Otter. Book in advance — seats are limited and the schedule can change with weather. Alternatively, you can drive from Miri to the town of Marudi (about two hours by 4WD), then take a longboat up the Baram River to Long Akah. That journey takes a full day, depending on water levels. The road from Miri to Marudi is paved but narrow in sections; beyond Marudi, the road becomes gravel and is extremely slippery during rain. Many travellers arrange a 4WD transfer through a homestay operator. Once you land at Long Akah, your host will likely meet you at the airstrip. There is no public transport from the airport to the village — it is a short walk. Plan to bring all supplies with you; there are no shops or services beyond the village itself.

Inside the Terminal

Long Akah Airport is not a terminal in the conventional sense. The 'terminal' is a single-storey building with a small waiting area, a counter for check-in (which is essentially a table with a clipboard), and a toilet — the only confirmed facility. The building is open to the elements on one side, with a roof overhead and benches for passengers. There is no air conditioning, no food or drink for sale, no ATM, and no telecom signal — do not expect to make phone calls or use mobile data from the airport. On departure, you check in with the ground staff (often the same person who flies the plane), then wait on the veranda until the aircraft arrives. The runway is a strip of asphalt with no lighting, so flights only operate in daylight. Baggage handling is manual: your bags are loaded onto the plane by hand. The experience is straightforward and no-frills; come prepared with water, snacks, and anything else you might need for the wait. The toilet is basic — bring your own tissue and hand sanitiser.

Long Akah Airport (LKH) and Miri

Miri is the second-largest city in Sarawak and the main transport hub for the northern part of the state. It began as an oil town in the early 20th century — the first oil well in Malaysia was drilled here — and today it balances industry with tourism, particularly as a gateway to Gunung Mulu National Park and the Niah Caves. Miri Airport itself is a modern regional airport with flights to Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, and a few international destinations like Singapore. But for travellers heading to Long Akah, Miri is merely the jump-off point. The real attraction is not the city but what lies beyond: the vast, forested interior of Sarawak, home to some of the most biodiverse rainforest on earth and to indigenous communities that maintain a semi-traditional way of life. Long Akah is typical of the airstrips that dot this region — built by the colonial administration and later by the state government to connect remote longhouses to the outside world. From the airstrip, you can arrange a trek to Tekiwit Selaan Waterfalls, a multi-tiered cascade that requires a hike of several hours through secondary forest and rubber plantations. The trail is not marked, so a local guide is essential. Homestays such as the one run by Segah Selaan offer accommodation in a longhouse, where guests sleep on mats in a communal space and eat meals prepared over a wood fire. The experience is basic but authentic: there is no electricity after about 10 pm if the generator is turned off, no running hot water, and no internet. What you get instead is immersion in a landscape of steep hills, clear rivers, and a pace of life that has changed little in decades. Miri itself has comfortable hotels, restaurants, and a lively waterfront — but it serves mainly as a place to stock up on supplies and catch the morning flight. For many visitors, the contrast between the city's conveniences and Long Akah's simplicity is precisely the point.

Practical Information

Long Akah Airport (LKH) is open only on certain days; the busiest times are Monday at 2 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday at 9 am, and Thursday at 6 pm. These likely correspond to flight schedules. Contact the airport operator at +60 85-615 204 or visit the Malaysia Airports website (http://www.malaysiaairports.com.my) for current timetables. There is no ATM at the airport or in Long Akah — bring enough Malaysian ringgit for your entire stay. Telecommunications are virtually nonexistent; do not rely on a phone signal for maps or communication. If you are staying at a homestay, arrange pickup in advance; the homestay host (such as Segah Selaan) can usually be reached via a landline or through contacts in Miri before you leave. Road safety: if you travel by road to Marudi, be extremely cautious in the rainy season (November to March), when logging roads turn to slippery mud and vehicles frequently get stuck. A 4WD is essential. For the return flight, check in at least 30 minutes before departure — the staff will weigh your luggage and you (passengers are also weighed on Twin Otters for balance). The single most useful piece of advice: pack everything in waterproof bags. Rain can come suddenly, and there is no shelter once you leave the airstrip.