| Izah Azahari |
ROYAL Brunei Airlines (RB) yesterday held a press conference for media personnel from China, Hong Kong and Brunei at the Pondok Sari Wangi, Jerudong branch.
Present at the press conference were Karam Chand, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RB; Wu Chun, RB international brand ambassador; Salinah Salleh, Brunei Tourism officer; Christina Chua, RB Head of Sales; and Pengiran Haji Ibrahim bin Pengiran Haji Othman, Jerudong Polo and Country Club (JPCC) HR Manager.
The press conference began with an introduction from the CEO of RB who explained the work between the airline and China, with daily flights to Hong Kong and flights to Shanghai three times a week as well as the recent commencement of flights in July to Shenzhou and Nanning.
“We have plans to continue to grow as China has one of the largest markets by far in the world and Brunei’s outbound tourism is growing significantly,” said Karam. “As a nation, we would like to host our friends from China, and of course as an airline, we will benefit from tourism.”
Karam also added that RB has plans to further expand in China due to its vast population and many cities that will make it easy to commence flights to more cities.
Karam Chand, Chief Executive Officer of RB; Wu Chun, RB international brand ambassador; Salinah Salleh, Brunei Tourism officer; Christina Chua, RB Head of Sales; and Pengiran Haji Ibrahim bin Pengiran Haji Othman, Jerudong Polo and Country Club (JPCC) HR Manager during the press conference. – DEAN KASSIM
In addition, the CEO also explained that RB has also been working closely with their partners such as The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Brunei Tourism, other hotels and partners of inbound tourism operators.
Through the collaborative efforts with partners, they have successfully grown tourism over the years encouraging further cooperation and the introduction of well-known Bruneians such as Wu Chun as their brand ambassador.
Also revealed during the press conference was the recent signing of a code sharing agreement between RB and Eastern China including negotiations that will lead to the signing of a code sharing agreement with Hong Kong Airlines.
Karam also revealed that part of their five-year plan will involve RB adding more aircrafts with one coming towards the end of 2017, and another seven in 2018. With the additional aircrafts on the way, RB will be looking further into more markets such as Taiwan as there is a very strong connection between Taiwan and Brunei.
“In our business things happen very quickly so we review the markets and as we get closer to receiving our aircrafts, that’s when we will make a decision and announce it,” added Karam.
The post Royal Brunei Airlines looks to expand flights appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.