Sultan Abdul Halim Airport (AOR) – Terminals, Airlines & Transport Guide
About Sultan Abdul Halim Airport
Sultan Abdul Halim Airport (AOR) serves Alor Setar, the capital city of Kedah, and Perlis state. Located in Kepala Batas, approximately 8 miles (13 km) north of Alor Setar city centre, it is a small but vital domestic hub.
While it does not handle direct international flights, it is a key transit point for travellers heading to the Kuala Kedah Jetty to catch the ferry to Langkawi, or for those visiting the Thai border (Bukit Kayu Hitam). The airport is compact, modern, and known for very quick processing times.
Key Airport Stats
Feature | Details |
Full Name | Sultan Abdul Halim Airport |
IATA Code | AOR |
ICAO Code | WMKA |
Location | Kepala Batas, Kedah (13 km from City Centre) |
Terminals | 1 (Single Terminal) |
Annual Traffic | ~800,000 Passengers |
Hub Airlines | Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Firefly, Batik Air |
| Offical Website | Not Found |
Terminals Information
The airport operates from a single, two-story terminal building.
- Ground Floor: Houses the Check-in counters, Arrivals Hall, Baggage Reclaim, and car rental desks.
- First Floor: Departure Hall, Security Screening, and Waiting Gates.
- Layout: Extremely simple. You can walk from the entrance to the boarding gate in under 10 minutes if there is no queue.
Airlines Operating at Sultan Abdul Halim Airport
Domestic Carriers
- Malaysia Airlines: Daily flights to Kuala Lumpur (KUL).
- AirAsia:
- Frequent flights to Kuala Lumpur (KUL/KLIA2).
- Direct service to Johor Bahru (JHB).
- Firefly: Operates ATR 72 turboprops to Subang (SZB) (Kuala Lumpur City Airport).
- Batik Air Malaysia: Daily flights to Kuala Lumpur (KUL).
Note: There are no direct international flights. You must connect via KUL or Subang.
How to get from Alor Setar Airport to City Centre & Jetty
There are no direct trains or dedicated airport shuttle buses. Grab (E-hailing) is highly recommended as the most reliable option.
Transport Options Overview
Mode | Route / Destination | Time | Cost (Approx) |
Grab (Recommended) | To Alor Setar City Centre Door-to-door | 20-25 mins | RM 18 – RM 25 |
Airport Taxi | To Alor Setar City Centre Coupon counter system | 20-25 mins | RM 25 – RM 35 |
Grab / Taxi | To Kuala Kedah Jetty (For Langkawi Ferry) | 30-40 mins | RM 30 – RM 45 |
Train (KTM) | Via Anak Bukit Station Requires taxi to station (5km away) | N/A | RM 10 (Taxi fare) |
- To Langkawi: Many travellers fly into AOR to take the ferry. You must take a taxi/Grab to Kuala Kedah Jetty (approx. 15km away). The ferry ride to Langkawi takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Train Connection: The nearest ETS/Komuter train station is Anak Bukit (5-10 mins drive) or Alor Setar Station (city centre). You need a taxi to reach them.
Airport Facilities & Services
- Dining: Limited options. There is usually a small cafe (e.g., Kopitiam style) landside and a small snack kiosk airside. Do not expect major fast-food chains like McDonald’s inside the terminal.
- Shopping: Very limited. A few souvenir shops selling local Kedah snacks and a convenience store.
- WiFi: Free WiFi is available via Airport_Free_Wifi.
- Prayer Rooms: Clean and spacious prayer rooms (Surau) are available for Muslim passengers.
- ATMs: Available landside near the arrival exit.
Typical Routes from the UK to Alor Setar (AOR)
London → Kuala Lumpur → Alor Setar — with Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines etc.
London → other hubs (Doha / Istanbul / Singapore) → Kuala Lumpur or Penang → Alor Setar – common multi‑stop routes.
Liverpool (LPL), Leeds (LBA), Birmingham (BHX) — all connect via hubs with varying prices and stops.
Departure & Arrival Guide
Departures
- Check-in: Arrive 90 minutes before your flight. Queues are rarely long.
- Security: Fast and efficient.
- Waiting Area: The departure lounge is basic but comfortable, with views of the runway and nearby paddy fields.
Arrivals
- Baggage: Very fast. Bags often appear on the belt within 10-15 minutes of landing.
- Transport: Taxis and Grab drivers are usually waiting just outside the arrival doors.
Popular Routes from AOR Airport
- Alor Setar to Kuala Lumpur (KUL): The main connection for business and transit.
- Alor Setar to Subang (SZB): Popular for business travellers going into downtown KL.
- Alor Setar to Johor Bahru (JHB): Direct link to the south of Malaysia.
Nearby Airports
- Penang International Airport (PEN):
- Distance: ~120 km South (1.5 – 2 hours by car).
- Best For: International flights (Singapore, Bangkok, Taipei, Dubai).
- Langkawi International Airport (LGK):
- Connection: Accessible via Ferry from Kuala Kedah Jetty.
Airport Hotels Nearby
Hotel | Distance | Vibe |
Raia Hotel & Convention Centre | 2 mins drive | Closest option. Large, modern, pilgrimage-friendly hotel (Tabung Haji). |
Royale Signature Hotel | 20 mins drive | City centre, connected to a mall. |
StarCity Hotel | 20 mins drive | Popular mid-range city hotel. |
The Leverage Business Hotel | 15 mins drive | Located in Mergong, good for business. |
Grand Alora Hotel | 15 mins drive | Located opposite Tesco Mergong. |
Weather Information
- Climate: Tropical monsoon.
- Dry Season: December to March (Best for travel; paddy fields are harvested/brown).
- Planting Season: April to August (Paddy fields are lush green – beautiful for photos).
- Rain: Heavy rains common September to November.
Flights from UK to Sultan Abdul Halim Airport AOR
FAQs
Take a Grab or taxi to Kuala Kedah Jetty (approx. 30-40 mins). From there, take the ferry to Langkawi (Kuah Jetty). The last ferry usually departs around 7:00 PM.
Public buses (MyBas) do run past the airport road, but they do not enter the terminal driveway and are infrequent. It is strongly recommended to use Grab or a taxi instead.
The Bukit Kayu Hitam border crossing is about 45-50 minutes (45 km) north of the airport by car.
AirAsia to Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur–International; Batik Air and Malaysia Airlines to Kuala Lumpur; Firefly to Subang.
Use Flightradar24 or Malaysia Airports site for live arrivals/departures—busiest to Subang (32 weekly).
In Kepala Batas, 10-15 km from Alor Setar city center; 5-8 min taxi to Anak Bukit rail station.
Capacity for 800,000 passengers yearly; runway extended to 2,745m for larger jets like A330.
WiFi, lounges, eateries, duty-free, car rentals; clean terminal since 2006 upgrade.
~920k passengers in 2019 peak; dropped in 2020 but recovering.
The airport serving Alor Setar, Kedah, is named Sultan Abdul Halim Airport.(IATA: AOR, ICAO: WMKA)
Recent Update
Senai International Airport (JHB) – Terminals, Airlines & Transport Guide About Senai International Airport Opened in 1974 as Sultan Ismail International Airport, it expanded with a modern terminal to replace …
Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) – Terminals, Airlines & Transport Guide About Kota Kinabalu International Airport Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) is the second busiest airport in Malaysia after Kuala …
Kuching International Airport (KCH) – Terminals, Transport & Passenger Guide About Kuching International Airport Kuching International Airport (KCH) is the primary gateway to Sarawak, the largest state in Malaysia, located …
+442071129000