2016 sees rise in tourist arrivals to Brunei

THE total number of international tourist arrivals to Brunei Darussalam through the Brunei International Airport (BIA) reached 218,809 in 2016 compared to 218,213 in 2015, recording a 0.3 per cent year-on-year increase.

The Brunei Tourism Development Department of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism (MPRT) said in a statement that in 2016, the Far East region was the only source market that has continued to show positive growth at 10.4 per cent especially from countries such as South Korea, Hong Kong, China and Japan which have all grown by 23.7 per cent, 19.4 per cent, 10.7 per cent and 3.2 per cent respectively.

Australia and New Zealand markets have both showed a decline at 18.7 per cent (year-on-year), followed by the long haul market such as the United Kingdom at 10.1 per cent and Asean markets such as Malaysia and Singapore at 1.1 per cent.

The overall increase can be attributed to the high travel demand from the Far East market, visa facilitation (visa on arrival) for China and chartered flights from China and South Korea, the department said.

Whereas, the weakening global economy and high regional competition from neighbouring countries in the Asean have affected the performance and growth of the Australia and New Zealand, Asean and long haul source markets in 2016 to some extent.

Malaysia contributed to the top tourist arrivals in 2016 due to its easy air accessibility and proximity with 24.8 per cent (26.6 per cent in 2015), followed by China in second place with 18.7 per cent (16.9 per cent in 2015).

Indonesia moved up one ranking at 9.5 per cent (7.9 per cent in 2015), Philippines dropped to fourth place at 7.8 per cent (8.2 per cent in 2015) and Singapore remained at the same position from last year at 6.6 per cent (7.4 per cent in 2015).

In total, the top five countries have contributed the majority portion of international tourist arrivals into the country in 2016 at 67.4 per cent.

Continue reading at: 2016 sees rise in tourist arrivals to Brunei

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Boosting connections in Brunei Darussalam

In the run-up to Asean Economic Community integration in 2015, Brunei Darussalam is ramping up transport developments, chasing new opportunities and re-establishing past connections.

With the potential for a boost in inter-Asean travel, the Sultanate is working to position itself as an intermediary for business and leisure travellers.

Isolated by the sea, Brunei Darussalam is cut off from access to both the Trans-Asian Railway and the Asean Highway Networks, which is spurring the authorities to improve air and maritime connectivity, externally, while expanding internal road connections.

In its ‘Global Competitiveness Report 2013 to 2014’, the World Economic Forum (WEF) ranked Brunei Darussalam 49th out of 148 countries for the standard of its seaports, jumping eight places year-on-year, and 55th in terms of the competitiveness of its air services infrastructure, an improvement of six places.

Taking off

Most recently, Royal Brunei Airlines announced it would reinstate its route to Ho Chi Minh City.

The route, which was cut in October 2011, has regained importance as passenger numbers to Vietnam jumped 15 per cent in 2013. The airline announced in August it plans to run four round-trip flights a week starting in October.

The move is one of several efforts to increase air traffic with regional partners. Royal Brunei announced its order of seven A320neo aircraft in mid-August, due for delivery in 2018, saying that the planes were specifically intended to reduce fuel costs and serve potential new routes to Australia.

According to the airline, the A320neo uses 17 per cent less fuel than the A320s currently in use, and with Brisbane, Perth and Darwin just a few hours’ flying time away, the company is confident demand will rise.

With the increased passenger numbers, extensions to the Brunei International Airport are seeing timely completion.

The US$150 million upgrade process, which is expected to finish later this year, is set to double passenger handling capacity at the airport to three million and will include new arrival and departure areas, luggage handling facilities and expanded parking.

Continue reading at: Boosting connections in Brunei Darussalam

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Brunei International Airport’s runway to be upgraded

THE Ministry of Communications is fully committed in ensuring that travelling is made safe, secure, well-connected and comfortable.

In this regard, one of the measures that will be undertaken by the end of the year is the rehabilitation of Brunei International Airport’s runway so as to ensure that aircraft continue to land safely in the country.

This was revealed by Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar, the Minister of Communications, during the opening of the 10th Abacus Holiday Travel Fair at BRIDEX Hall yesterday.

Elaborating more on the project, the minister said, “In addition to laying a surface of tarmac, we will also look into (improving) drainage and widening (existing) runways, as well as installing more lights to increase the life span of the runways.”

When asked about the possibility of adding more runways, the minister noted that currently there is no free space at the airport.

“If we need additional runways, it will have to be built at a new site,” he said.

The minister reiterated that the Ministry of Communications is fully committed to providing safe air traffic control services so that aircraft can land and travel safely.

Continue reading at: Brunei International Airport’s runway to be upgraded

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Brunei airport to receive state-of-the-art baggage security

By Azaraimy HH

A world leading supplier in the field of airport baggage is in final contract negotiations for construction of the state-of-the-art, internationally capable, baggage security system for Brunei International Airport.

Founder and CEO of Glidepath Group and Chairman of Export New Zealand, Sir Kenneth Stevens told the Bulletin that Glidepath will provide sophisticated baggage systems for Brunei International Airport.

Sir Kenneth told the Bulletin after a New Zealand Trade Delegation briefing held at the i-Centre by Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) yesterday.

The new state-of-the-art system will provide a high degree of security for the travelling public, knowing that all bags that will be loaded into the airplane will be clear from or free from any drugs, alcohol or explosives.

When asked, Sir Kenneth told the Bulletin that the current system at the Brunei International Airport is quite outdated, and no longer complies with international standards.

"The new system is absolutely state-of-the-art, custom design for Brunei," Sir Kenneth said.

Sir Kenneth is in Brunei leading trade delegates from New Zealand, where the group had a briefing organised by BEDB.

Glidepath manufactures a complete range of baggage handling products and systems.

Meeting international requirements for airport safety and security, Glidepath has developed a full range of software security systems and integrates explosive detection systems (EDS) including computer tomography (CT), X-ray machines and explosive trace detection (ETD's) for efficient and reliable hold baggage screening.

Glidepath's in-line security screening software provides automation of the explosive detection system and the automatic collection of bag security status data.

Glidepath also develops a full suite of system-management software. Software packages, GlideControl - PLC control, GlideView - System Control & Data Acquisition and GlideSort - Automated Sortation Control are designed to interface between airport and airlines information networks, EDS machines and Glidepath's baggage handling systems.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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Tourist influx begins in Brunei

By Fadhil Yunus

Brunei received a significant tourism boost as a chartered flight carrying 284 tourists including a toddler and a six-year-old child touched down at the Brunei International Airport last night.

It is also the largest group of tourists from either Taiwan or China travelling to Brunei during the Chinese New Year 2012 celebrations.

The tourists, who will be separated into eight groups, will be staying at the Radisson Hotel while some will be at The Empire Hotel and Country Club, said one of the tour guides from PJ Majestic Tours.

When asked through an interpreter what the Taiwanese tourists are planning to do or see in Brunei, most of them said that they wanted to meet singer-turned-actor Wu Chun. They also said that he is extremely popular back in Taiwan.

The majority of the tourists also said that this was their first time in Brunei and are excited to learn more about the country.

Upon arrival, they were greeted by representatives from the Tourism Development Department. Eight tour guides from PJ Majestic Tours will be with the tourists for the entire duration of their stay.

More flights are scheduled to arrive in Brunei starting tonight until January 28 bringing in nearly 1,400 tourists.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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MasWings eyes Brunei

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) subsidiary MasWings is in the midst of expanding its network of routes and destinations, with plans to introduce Brunei as a central "eastern hub" for international visitors in the BIMP-EAGA region being mooted for implementation next year.

The move could dramatically provide a significant impact on the frequency of visitors arriving at the Brunei International Airport.

The proposal to secure Brunei as the latest route could signal major progress and development because it will provide the new city code (BWN) more flexibility in terms of passengers' alternative routes and will offer visitors more opportunities to fly to Brunei which could subsequently further improve the country's tourism prospects.

However, accessibility and flexibility will not be the only benefits to be enjoyed by frequent and new visitors to Brunei, as travellers from nearby cities in both Sabah and Sarawak would have the added option of stopping over in Brunei before continuing their final leg of the journey towards other cities via Malaysia Airlines.

MasWings' proposed flights include daily flights to Kota Kinabalu and Brunei Darussalam-Kuching routes - and vice versa - three times a week, said Munirah Omar, MAS Executive, MasWings Division.

"We would definitely obtain our services once we receive approval from the Brunei Government. We will offer afternoon (around 1pm) and evening flights for Kota Kinabalu. The (flight) times are yet to be advised," she said in an interview with the Weekend Bulletin yesterday.

According to Munirah, Brunei will be a favourable destination given the fact that other major airlines in the region regularly fly in and out of the country. "By having these services in Brunei, we hope that it would attract easier international connections out of Kota Kinabalu," she said.

MasWings is currently waiting for approval from the government after having submitted the proposal to begin its operations in the Sultanate as the latest to join a host of destinations in the BIMP-EAGA region.

MasWings, which travels to 22 destinations mainly in Sabah and Sarawak, aims to ensure greater accessibility by establishing closer links for connecting flights to continental or global cities.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin Weekend
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The 'Best Airport' On Borneo Island

Bandar Seri Begawan - The transformation of Brunei International Airport, which is aiming to be the best airport on Borneo island, is set to begin and will be completed in two to three years after the tender process, the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) announced yesterday.

Dato Paduka Timothy Ong, acting chairman of the board, said BEDB will create an airport which will meet all of Brunei's requirement for the next 10 years with the assistance of Changi Airports International (CAI).

CAI has been appointed to assist in drawing up the tender specifications and undertake project management with the consent of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunel Darussalam, the BEDB said in a statement.

"Our projection is that we will aim to go to tender within three months and from the time of award, (project completion) will be between 24 and 36 months as it also depends on which contractor," Dato Ong said.

The board, which advertised internationally, received expressions of interest from 69 contractors and consortia.

Dato Ong said: "We don't want something that is 'okay'. We want something with a wow factor, so we are not just going for a pass, we're going for distinction. The project will be based on current and projected traffic. We recognise that Brunei doesn't have the traffic of, say, Kuala Lumpur."

Their aim is to create from the existing airport one with high standards, he added.

The acting chairman also stressed that they do not want to build a white elephant.

"We envision between three and seven aerobridges, but the minimum is three," he said.

Dato Ong added that this is a challenging project because the airport will continue to be used while work is being done.

"It is easier in fact to build a new airport, but we don't have the luxury of doing that.

People going in and out of airports can get very upset or agitated if there are delays. So we have to undertake this work smoothly... In order to ensure this is done well, we are engaging one of the world's leading consultants, CAI, to work with us," he added.

Continue reading at: The 'Best Airport' On Borneo Island
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Cebu Pacific arrival in Brunei signals 'low cost as future of travelling'

By Narissa Noor

The Philippines' largest national carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB), made its maiden Brunei-Manila flight yesterday, as it departed from the Brunei International Airport at 2.35am and arrived in Manila at 4.25am.

"We are experiencing almost 100 per cent passenger load factor for our maiden Manila-Brunei and Brunei-Manila flights.

"This shows that the market for Cebu Pacific flights to and from Brunei can really be stimulated by CEB's trademark low fares, and that it is responsive to the low-cost carrier model," said CEB's Vice President for Marketing and Distribution, Candice Iyog, who arrived on the inaugural flight to Brunei.

"CEB offers the lowest fare alternative from Brunei to the Philippines so we are very optimistic about our Brunei operations," she added.

"The big population of Filipinos in Brunei can go home more often, and their relatives in the Philippines can visit Brunei more often too."

She also expressed her hopes that locals from Brunei will venture into urban destinations in the Philippines for their leisure and business travel as well.

Bidding farewell to the departing passengers early yesterday morning were Director of the Brunei Tourism Board, Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed, Philippine Embassy's Charge d'Affaires Minister, Celeste Balatbat, and the Department of Civil Aviation Director Omarali bin Haji Mohd Ja'afar.

"Cebu Pacific's operations in Brunei shall be a win-win situation for our two countries," said Balatbat.

Balatbat believes that the airline's entry into Brunei will facilitate travel, investment, tourism and trade flows between the two countries.

With over 17,000 tourists a year coming from the Philippines, Sheikh Jamaluddin expects the figure to double with the help of CEB.

"Every passenger wants to travel cheap no matter if you're the CEO of a company or a worker," Sheikh Jamaluddin told the Bulletin.

"I see low cost airlines as the future of travelling and it is especially effective if the flight is within a few hours away."

According to Sheikh Jamaluddin, with the arrival of CEB, the Brunei Tourism Board will supplement their efforts and increase roadshows and boost their marketing strategies in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, during the inaugural departure ceremony, Roslina Adak Paradji, the first person to check in for the flight was presented a Brunei-Philippines round-trip ticket. Later, the Validation of the Air Operation Certificate by the Department of Civil Aviation was presented to CEB's VP of Airport Services, Jomar Rodrigues.

Brunei is CEB's 15th international destination and operates Manila-Brunei flights every Tuesday and Saturday and Brunei-Manila flights every Wednesday and Sunday.

According to a press statement, the lowest year-round 'Go-Lite' fare for this route is B$86, while those with check-in luggage will just need to add B$3 upon booking.

CEB is Asia's third largest low-cost carrier and flies to 33 destinations in the Philippines and 15 international destinations. According to the statement, it is slated to begin flights to Beijing on September 5, 2010.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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Cebu Pacific Air low cost airline to fly to Brunei

By Narissa Noor

The Philippine's second low-cost carrier, Cebu Pacific Air, will touchdown at the Brunei International Airport for the first time this Sunday, August 22.

The second low-cost airline to fly to Brunei after AirAsia will arrive in Brunei Darussalam at approximately 2am with a full flight of 156 passengers.

This will be followed by the inaugural departure of the Brunei-Manila flight at 2.25am. According to Blessie Cruz, Manager of Advertising and Promotion at Cebu Air Inc, as of yesterday, 145 passengers are already booked on the departing flight.

Slated for only twice weekly, there are no immediate plans to increase the frequency of its flights.

"We still have to see if the route is profitable before we can increase the frequency," Cruz told the Bulletin.

Brunei is Cebu Pacific's 15th international destination and is the third largest low-cost carrier in Asia, garnering a 91.8 per cent on-time performance in the first quarter of 2010.

According to the Philippine Embassy's Charge d'Affaires, Celeste Vinzon-Balatbat, Cebu Pacific's operation in Brunei is a significant milestone in the Brunei-Philippines bilateral relations.

"Our cooperation in air services has the potential to promote the two-way flow of people, trade, investment and tourism," he said.

As of today, Brunei has a total of four airlines flying in and out of the country including AirAsia, Malaysia's own low-cost airline, Singapore Airlines and Brunei's own national carrier, Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA).

AirAsia recently received authorisation to double its service to Kuala Lumpur starting from August 25. It was also reported that Indonesia AirAsia is keen to fly the Brunei-Jakarta sector.

Meanwhile, RBA is seemingly unfazed and remains optimistic despite the influx of low-cost airlines into the country.

"Cebu Pacific itself is a budget airline which caters to a different market. However, we welcome other airlines into Brunei as it allows Brunei to become a bigger commercial hub," RBA's Executive Vice President of Commercial & Planning, Riaz Moiz, told the Bulletin.

"We are a lifestyle company, providing more than just point-to-point transport services," he added.

Moreover, RBA's recent acquisition of a fleet of Boeing 777s and new fare strategies has also had a positive impact on the airlines' reputation.

"In addition to the higher passenger capacity, the 777 aircraft is a newer and improved product offering and this will enable RBA to grow its revenue and passenger base by being able to compete more effectively in the marketplace," said Moiz.

Meanwhile, one low-fare airline that is not jumping on the bandwagon despite being awarded traffic rights by Brunei's Department of Civil Aviation in 2006 is Tiger Airways.

According to a Tiger Airways spokesperson, the airline currently has no plans to fly to Brunei, but will continue evaluating it among other possibilities.

"As part of its successful low-cost business model, Tiger Airways focuses on the profitability of each route, and will add or withdraw routes accordingly," Charles Sng, head of communications at Tiger Airways told the Bulletin.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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Belait rural areas identified for Brunei's second airport

By Liza Mohd

The rural areas of Long Mayan/Merangking Ulu Mukim Bukit Sawat has been identified as a potential site for the construction of Brunei's second international airport, according to the Belait District Structure Plan 2025.

In addition to the ongoing construction of the Telisai-Lumut bypass, the Belait District Plan, unveiled during yesterday's exhibition at the Seria Oil and Gas Discovery Centre, also shows a viable plan of building a Labi-Kuala Balai road network that will lead to the proposed second airport.

Permanent Secretary (Administration and Finance) at the Ministry of Development Haji Mohd Rozan bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos was present at the launch of the four-day exhibition of the Belait District Plan.

In his speech, he said that one of the ideas which could bring about major and positive impact towards the development of the Belait District is identifying Sungai Liang as the regional centre apart from Bandar Seri Begawan for the purpose of balanced development among the four districts in the nation.

Apart from that, there are also ideas to restore the social and physical infrastructure, distribution of housing, schools, public facilities and others.

In the plan, the population of Belait is also expected to rise to 86,500 people in the year 2025 as compared to 63,900 people in 2006, the permanent secretary said.

"With that kind of growth, the need for housing will also increase by about 40 per cent from the existing numbers," he added.

As revealed in the plan, the demand for housing is expected to increase to 15,871 units by 2025.

In terms of rural development, the Belait District plan has also identified several villages such as Labi and Sungai Mau as rural centres that will be able to contribute to the economic development in their respective areas, the chief guest stated.

The district plan has also identified the main land usage towards ensuring a strategic development and maintenance or the preservation of the nation's forest reserves and environmentally sensitive areas, so that it would be continuously protected for the future generation, the permanent secretary said.

He expressed belief that a comprehensive planning on land usage is crucial towards a balanced and sustainable development.

Apart from that, the district plan also serves as a guideline for controlled development and preparations of infrastructure and coordinated general facilities.

The permanent secretary said the Town and Country Planning Department through a local engineering consultant has been preparing the Belait District Plan since April 2008 with the purpose of providing the strategic framework and directions of development for the district.

The plan has provided for four districts in the country including the Belait District. It has gone through four preparation stages starting from inception, sectoral, proposals and strategies and currently is in its final preparatory stage.

The public, government agencies and relevant stakeholders, particularly residents in the district, have been involved according to the stages of preparations. These include dialogue sessions, focus group discussion and now, the exhibition to disclose the planning for public members.

During the exhibition, residents in the Belait District are given opportunities to give their feedback through forms provided at the venue.

Haji Mohd Rozan also recalled attending a dialogue session with the residents of the Belait District on April 10 this year at the early level of the district plan preparations.

Now the district plan has reached its final stage and the permanent secretary expressed his pleasure in viewing the final results of the plan, which has taken several months in terms of information gathering, data analysis and the direction of the district's development.

He welcomed residents in the Belait District to observe and pay close attention to the plan, which will be available for viewing for four days, and provide their feedback towards improving it.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Town and Country Planning Mr Hong Kok Seng in his welcoming remarks said the exhibition is to introduce and provide exposure to public and residents in the district on land usage strategies and proposals, which has been drafted for the vision and direction of development and progress in the district.

He hoped that it would serve as an investment plan for the district towards continual planning for desired projects carried out by agencies in the district.

The exhibition among others unveiled the National Land Use Master Plan from 2006-2025; the natural resources in the Belait District; housing demand; distribution of squatter settlements, land uses and settlement; economic development and industry, tourism potential; natural environment, Belait roads, traffic and transport; infrastructure and utilities; community services and facilities and also main economic activities in the district.

In terms of agriculture development, the existing and potential future agriculture reserves in the district make it a strong contributor towards achieving national food security. Belait District has the largest area of land reserved for paddy production and accounts for more than 35 per cent of the national rice output and is currently focussed towards raising domestic rice production.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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