| Izah Azahari |
ROYAL Brunei Airlines’ (RB) transformation as the national airline and its brand positioning as a boutique carrier in international markets began in 2011, and still continues with the launch of direct flights between Brunei Darussalam and the United Kingdom (UK).
This was said by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah in his capacity as the Chairman of the RB Board of Directors, during the official launching of the RB nonstop flight to London over the weekend at the Brunei International Airport.
According to the minister, the new initiative is a catalyst for increased travel, trade and tourism, as passengers are expected to arrive at their destinations three hours earlier than usual on board the new B787 Dreamliner aircraft.
“United Kingdom is a very large tourism market, and we believe with the nonstop service to Brunei and one-stop services to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, and soon to Kuching, Sarawak, we will be offering our guests a very compelling Borneo Island proposition.”
He said that with the new non-stop service and good connections via Brunei International Airport, a significant growth will be seen from this very important long-haul market, given that Borneo is a ‘hugely aspirational’ destination for the English and Continental Europeans.
“The dedicated seat capacity to the UK and the United Arab Emirates as a result of the new RB schedule programme, coupled with attractive airfares and packages, will assist Brunei tourism in realising its goal of 500,000 visitors to our shores by 2021,” he added.
He also highlighted RB’s announced direct flights to Kuching, Sarawak, which will commence on December 28 this year, with two services per week and then to four services per week starting February 3, 2019.
“Brunei and Sarawak have always enjoyed a warm and close relationship, and the re-commencement of RB services is a reflection of our strong bonds,” he said.
“The collaboration between RB, the Sarawak government, Sarawak Tourism and Malaysian airports is a great example of working together to grow the size of the tourism pie for the benefit of all our partners.”
The minister also assured that RB will continue to innovate and add more products and services, in addition to playing a vital nation-building role with dedicated capacity for both passengers and freight.
“The launching event for direct London services is part of the bigger objective to elevate the aviation and tourism industries in Brunei, and contribute strongly to the country’s GDP and economic diversification,” said the minister.