Layang-Layang Airport Explained

Layang-Layang Airport
English: Swallow Reef Airport
Iata:LAC
Type:Dual-use
Coordinates:7.3722°N 113.8417°W
Pushpin Map:South China Sea
Pushpin Label:LAC
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of airport in the South China Sea
Operator:Ministry of Defence
Location:Swallow Reef
Elevation-M:3
Metric-Elev:y
Metric-Rwy:y
R1-Number:06/24
R1-Length-M:1367
R1-Surface:Concrete

Layang-Layang Airport (English: Swallow Reef Airport) is located on Swallow Reef (Pulau Layang-Layang) in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea. It is about 300km (200miles) north of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The airport serves a Royal Malaysian Navy naval station (Station Lima) and a 3-star diving resort as well as a marine research facility, MARSAL (Marine Research Station Pulau Layang-Layang).[1]

Background

The runway's original length was 1,064 metres, but is now after an extension was completed in 2003. The airport was built in the period 1991 to 1995 by the Malaysian Government as part of a plan to exploit the tourism potential of the island. The island is administrated by Malaysia, but as with all of the Spratly Islands, is disputed territory.[1]

Facilities

The airport consists of a paved runway, two hangars, a radar station, a control tower and watchtowers. The concrete runway is 1367m long, 28m wide,[2] and has a Pavement Classification Number of 032RBXU, indicating a medium strength rigid pavement, with a high maximum tire pressure.[1] [3]

The airport is dual-use, serving both military and civilian aircraft. Layang Layang Aerospace operates Nomad N22C aircraft to and from Kota Kinabalu International Airport. The Royal Malaysian Air Force operates C130 Hercules transport planes and CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft to and from Labuan Airport.[1]

Currently MASwings operates seasonal charter flights to the airport during the dry season using ATR72-500.[1] [4]

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. See Swallow Reef for more information.
  2. Web site: Konflikdanmiliter . 15 March 2015.
  3. Web site: AirportsWorldwide . 15 March 2015.
  4. Web site: How to get to Layang-Layang .