Bahau Airport

The closure was primarily for economic and logistical reasons. The airstrip was built and operated by a private plantation company (the Guthrie Group) to serve its estates. The primary reasons for its closure include:
1. **Improved Ground Infrastructure:** The development and improvement of the national road network made ground transportation more cost-effective and efficient for estate management, personnel movement, and supply logistics.
2. **High Operating Costs:** The cost of maintaining a runway, associated facilities, and aircraft became prohibitive compared to the benefits, especially as road travel became a viable alternative.
3. **Obsolescence:** The business model of using private airstrips for managing large plantations became outdated with modern logistics and communication.

The site of the former airport has been repurposed. The original asphalt runway is still intact and clearly visible, but it is no longer used for aviation. It has been converted into a public road, officially named 'Jalan Airport' ('Airport Road'). This road now serves as a main access route for the surrounding area, which includes the Bahau Industrial Park (Taman Perindustrian Bahau) and local housing. The land adjacent to the old runway is now occupied by industrial lots and commercial buildings.

Bahau Airport, more accurately known as the Guthrie Kumpulan Bahau Airstrip, was a private airfield. Its historical significance is tied to the development of Malaysia's plantation industry in the 20th century.

When active, its operations were exclusively for the Guthrie Group's plantation business. It handled light general aviation aircraft, such as Cessna or Piper models. The key operations included:
- **Executive Transport:** Flying in company executives and managers from Kuala Lumpur or other regional centers.
- **Medical Evacuations:** Providing a rapid means of transport for sick or injured estate workers to hospitals.
- **Logistics:** Transporting urgent spare parts, documents, or high-value supplies.
- **Aerial Surveying:** Used for surveying the vast plantation lands.

It was a vital piece of infrastructure that enabled the efficient management of remote estates before the area was fully accessible by modern roads.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening Bahau Airport. The site has been permanently and irreversibly integrated into the local road network and industrial zone. The region's commercial and general aviation needs are comprehensively served by Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), which is located a relatively short drive away. There is no economic or logistical justification to re-establish an airfield at this location.