Simanggang Airport

The closure was primarily due to economic reasons driven by improved ground infrastructure. The upgrading and expansion of the Pan-Borneo Highway created a reliable and more affordable land transport link between Sri Aman and major hubs like Kuching. This led to a steep decline in passenger demand for the short-haul flights, making the air route commercially unviable for its operator, MASwings. The high operational cost of serving these small STOLports (Short Takeoff and Landing) with low passenger loads prompted the airline and government to consolidate services and focus on more critical remote routes.

The airport is permanently closed and decommissioned. The runway, though still clearly visible from satellite imagery, is unmaintained, overgrown in sections, and unusable for any aviation activity. The former airport land has been repurposed for public development. A significant portion of the site is now occupied by the Sri Aman Sports Complex (Kompleks Sukan Sri Aman), which includes a stadium and other sporting facilities. The old terminal buildings, if any remain, are abandoned or have been demolished.

Simanggang Airport was a vital STOLport and a key component of the Rural Air Service (RAS) in Sarawak for several decades. Before the development of modern roads, it was the primary air link connecting the town of Simanggang (renamed Sri Aman in 1974) with the rest of the state. The airport was historically served by Malaysia Airlines and later its subsidiary MASwings, typically using rugged De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft capable of operating from short runways. It played a crucial role in government administration, facilitating travel for civil servants, providing medical evacuation capabilities, and connecting the local population to larger economic centers. The airport was integral to the social and economic life of the Sri Aman Division in the mid-to-late 20th century.

There are zero prospects for reopening the old Simanggang Airport. The site is now functionally obsolete, encroached upon by new developments, and has been officially replaced. The Sarawak government has constructed a new, modern airport to serve the wider region, the Bebuling Airport (ICAO: WBGT), located strategically between the Sri Aman and Betong divisions. With the new Bebuling Airport fully operational as of 2024, the old Simanggang airstrip is considered permanently redundant for aviation purposes.