RMAF Kuala Lumpur , also known as the Sungai Besi Air Base and Simpang Airport was a key airport in the early years of Malaysia's aviation history. Established in the 1930s, it was the primary gateway for both

domestic Domestic may refer to: In the home * Anything relating to the human home or family ** A domestic animal, one that has undergone domestication ** A domestic appliance, or home appliance ** A domestic partnership ** Domestic science, sometimes cal ...

and

international flight An international flight is a form of commercial flight within civil aviation where the Takeoff, departure and the arrival take place in different Country, countries. Regular international passenger air service began in August 1919 with a flight ...

s in

Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur (KL), officially the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, is the capital city and a Federal Territories of Malaysia, federal territory of Malaysia. It is the largest city in the country, covering an area of with a census population ...

for several decades. The airport played a significant role in connecting Malaya to global destinations, with its facilities progressively upgraded to accommodate increasing air traffic. In 1965, Sungai Besi Airport was replaced by Subang International Airport (now Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport) as Kuala Lumpur's main airport. It was subsequently repurposed as a military facility, renamed the RMAF Kuala Lumpur Air Base, and became a vital installation for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). The base housed military operations, training facilities, and the RMAF Museum, which showcased Malaysia's aviation heritage. In 2018, the airport ceased all operations, making way for the Bandar Malaysia project, a large-scale mixed-use development set to transform the site into a modern urban hub.

History

Early Development and Initial Operations

The development of Sungai Besi Airport began in 1930 on a site previously used for tin mining. By 1933, the airport welcomed its first commercial flight, marking a milestone in Malaysian aviation. An aircraft from Imperial Airways, specifically the Armstrong Whitworth Atlanta, was among the first to land at the

airstrip An aerodrome, airfield, or airstrip is a location from which aircraft flight operations take place, regardless of whether they involve air cargo, passengers, or neither, and regardless of whether it is for public or private use. Aerodromes in ...

, demonstrating the facility's early role in international air travel. In 1936, the airstrip underwent significant upgrades and was licensed as an all-purpose landing ground capable of accommodating

light Light, visible light, or visible radiation is electromagnetic radiation that can be visual perception, perceived by the human eye. Visible light spans the visible spectrum and is usually defined as having wavelengths in the range of 400– ...

and medium aircraft. These improvements positioned Sungai Besi as a key aviation site in

British Malaya The term "British Malaya" (; ) loosely describes a set of states on the Malay Peninsula and the island of Singapore that were brought under British Empire, British hegemony or control between the late 18th and the mid-20th century. Unlike the ...

. After the disruptions of

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, further expansions were undertaken in 1948, enabling the airport to handle increased post-war air traffic and laying the groundwork for its future as an international gateway.

Early Growth and International Recognition

In 1952, Sungai Besi was officially designated as the main airport for Kuala Lumpur, handling both domestic and international flights. The airport underwent significant improvements, including the completion of a new terminal building. On August 1, 1956, Tunku Abdul Rahman officially designated it as an international airport, marking a pivotal moment in Malaysia's aviation history, alongside the upgrades made to support increasing international traffic. Following Malaysia's independence in 1957, the country became a Contracting State of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which enhanced the role of Sungai Besi in global aviation networks. The airport recorded substantial passenger traffic during this era, cementing its status as a vital aviation hub. By the 1960s, Malaysia's aviation infrastructure had begun to expand. The formation of Malaysia in 1963 further integrated aviation services across the newly united territories. However, the development of Subang International Airport (now Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport) in the mid-1960s marked a turning point. On August 30, 1965, Sungai Besi ceased operations as a commercial airport and transitioned into a military base under the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).

Military Use and Establishment of the RMAF Base

Following the relocation of commercial aviation operations to Subang International Airport in 1965, Sungai Besi Airport transitioned into a military facility under the RMAF and eventually came to be known as the RMAF Kuala Lumpur Air Base. The facility played a critical role in military operations, aircraft maintenance and training exercises for the RMAF. In 1982, the RMAF Museum was established at the base, showcasing Malaysia's aviation heritage and displaying historical aircraft such as the de Havilland Tiger Moth.The Star online: Museums draw crowd during holidays
/ref> As aviation technology advanced and military needs evolved, plans were developed in the late 1990s to move the RMAF base to a more modern facility. The relocation was aimed at providing better infrastructure and support for the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s operations.

Closure and Transition to Bandar Malaysia

In 2010, the Malaysian government officially announced the relocation of the RMAF base from Sungai Besi to Sendayan. The move, finalised on August 5, 2010, paved the way for redevelopment plans. Under the Bandar Malaysia initiative, launched in 2011 by Prime Minister

Najib Razak Mohammad Najib bin Abdul Razak (, ; born 23 July 1953) is a Malaysian politician who served as the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia from 2009 to 2018. In 2020, he was convicted of corruption in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal, on ...

, the site was earmarked for transformation into a mixed-use urban development. Bandar Malaysia aimed to include residential, commercial and infrastructure projects, such as the Kuala Lumpur–Singapore high-speed rail station, though the rail project faced delays due to financial challenges. On March 16, 2018, the RMAF ceased all operations at Sungai Besi Airport, officially ending the site's role as a military base. Redevelopment work is ongoing, with Bandar Malaysia envisioned as a major commercial and residential hub in Kuala Lumpur.

Legacy and Historical Significance

Sungai Besi Airport remains a landmark in Malaysia’s aviation history. As the country's first international airport, it played a crucial role in connecting Malaysia to the global aviation network. The airport's transition from a civilian to a military facility and its current redevelopment into a modern urban space reflects the dynamic shifts in Malaysia's infrastructure and urban planning priorities. Despite its closure, Sungai Besi Airport continues to be remembered as a symbol of Malaysia's early strides in aviation and its adaptability to changing needs over the decades.

References

Defunct airports in Malaysia Buildings and structures in Kuala Lumpur Military airbases established in 1952 Airports established in 1952 Airports disestablished in 1965 Airports disestablished in 2018 1952 establishments in Malaya Military installations of Malaysia {{Malaysia-airport-stub