Anduki Airfield

Anduki Airfield (ICAO: WBAK) is an airport in Seria, a town in Belait District of Brunei.[1] It is operated by Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP), which uses Sikorsky S-92 and AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters in support of offshore oil platforms. The company replaced the grass airstrip with a sealed instrument runway in 2008. Future upgrades include the addition of runway lighting and an enhanced instrument approach procedure.

Anduki Airfield
Summary
Airport typeHeliport
OperatorBrunei Shell Petroleum
LocationSeria, Belait District, Brunei
Built1951
Elevation AMSL7 ft / 2 m
Websitewww.civil-aviation.gov.bn
Maps
Anduki Airfield
Location in Brunei
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
05/23 820 2,690 Asphalt
Sources: ICAO code, location, elevation,[1] name, operator,[2] coordinates[3]

History

The airport was opened in 1951, when a Supermarine Sea Otter owned by British Malaysian Petroleum was the first airplane to land at the Anduki Aerodrome in 1949.[2]

In 1955, Malaysian Airways used de Havilland Dragon Rapide to charter from Brunei Town, Anduki Airfield, Miri and Labuan.[4] Moreover, the first BSP helicopter (Sikorsky S-55) loaned from Worldwide Helicopters, came into service.

In 1964, the Sikorsky S-61N came into service together as BSP Aviation Services Department (SAV) formed.

Few years later in 1966, SAV purchased 3 more S-61Ns.

Sikorsky S-92 was introduced in 2005 to replace older aircraft.

On 14 May 2013, Sikorsky Aerospace Services announced plans for the conversion of BSP's S-92 into Search and Rescue modifications.[5] On the 17 June of the same year, 2 AugustaWestland AW139 were delivered to BSP after the contract were awarded 6 months ago.[6]

On 18 April 2017, Sikorsky recognized BSP for 50 years of service since the mid-1950s with 5 Sikorsky S-55, in which is the first product from the company to be used.[7]

On 27 May 2019, a milestone was set by Siti Saffawana for being the first Bruneian Commander of the BSP Search and Rescue Department.[8]

Notable aircraft

Some aircraft which have been used or present on this airfield:

Photo Aircraft Type Operator Status Citations
Sikorsky HH-52 Seaguard Amphibious helicopter Brunei Shell Petroleum Inactive
Sikorsky S-55 Utility helicopter Inactive [9]
 Aérospatiale Alouette III Inactive [10]
Sikorsky S-61N Transport helicopter Inactive
Sikorsky S-92 Active
Search & Rescue helicopter Active
AgustaWestland AW139 Utility helicopter Active [11]
 Percival Prince Transport aircraft Inactive [12]
Supermarine Sea Otter Amphibious aircraft Sarawak Oilfields Ltd. N/A [13]
de Havilland Dragon Rapide Airliner Malaysian Airlines
  • AgustaWestland AW139 being refueled
  • Search and Rescue Sikorsky S-92 under tow
  • Sikorsky S-92 on standby
  • AgustaWestland AW139 inside Anduki Airfield's hangar.
  • Anduki Airfield's air traffic control tower

References
  1. Airport information for WBAK at Great Circle Mapper. Source: DAFIF (effective October 2006).
  2. "Anduki Airfield Revamps Its Facilities". The Brunei Times. 2008-12-04. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  3. Anduki Airfield at WikiMapia. Retrieved on 2009-05-26.
  4. "Short History of Brunei Aviation". Short History of Brunei Aviation. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  5. "Brunei Shell S-92 SAR conversion". Helis.com. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  6. "AW1050 Brunei Shell AW139 Delivery". www.leonardocompany.com. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  7. "Brunei Shell Petroleum recognized for 50 years of service with Sikorsky helicopters". www.worldoil.com. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  8. gp (2019-05-26). "Two new firsts for BSP » Borneo Bulletin Online". Borneo Bulletin Online. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  9. "Brunei Shell Petroleum recognized for 50 years of service with Sikorsky helicopters". www.worldoil.com. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  10. Belait Museum
  11. Alex Andrews. "New film from Shell shows two AW139 helicopters arriving in Brunei – Helicopter Investor". Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  12. Belait Museum
  13. http://tangentlink.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/7.-Training-Simulation-Mike-Price.pdf
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