The History of the Labu Kubong Chenderong Balai to Ipoh Air Service

In the past, the British government introduced air transport services, especially for remote villages. This was because air service was the easiest and fastest access compared to land vehicles.

In this article, OrangPerak will touch upon an air service that once existed in Perak but has now been forgotten by history. In 1953, the Malayan government, through the RIDA (Rural & Industrial Development Authority) agency, introduced a new scheme to provide air transport services from Kampung Labu Kubong to Ipoh. The idea, which came from the RIDA Development Officer for the state of Perak, Mr. E. K. Fish, was intended to make it easier for farmers growing vegetables in Labu Kubong to sell their produce in Ipoh while it was still fresh.

This service began on Monday, December 7, 1953, with the first flight departing from Ipoh at 10:10 AM and arriving at Kampung Labu Kubong at 10:50 AM. During the trial phase, passengers were charged a fare of $5.00 for a trip from Labu Kubong to Ipoh. This service was only provided once a week, on Mondays.

After receiving an encouraging response, this service was extended to Kampung Lambor. The fare from Labu Kubong to Kampung Lambor was only $4.00. The air service for this route was operated by the Federal Air Service (FAS) company using DHC-2 Beaver aircraft.

It is not certain in which year the air transport service from Kampung Labu Kubong and Lambor to Ipoh was terminated. It is believed that in 1959, when the Federal Air Service company was absorbed into Malayan Airways Limited (MAL), this service was no longer continued.

The former small airstrip in Labu Kubong is believed to be located on the site of Sekolah Menengah Sultan Abdullah, Chenderong Balai.