Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Royal Brunei Airlines service to Melbourne takes off, to fly four times weekly

By Azaraimy HH

Brunei Tourism's "Window on Brunei" initiative would benefit from the four-times weekly services to Melbourne, the CEO of Brunei Tourism, Sheikh Jamaluddin told the Bulletin last night just prior to the inaugural Royal Brunei Airlines' (RBA) new Brunei-Melbourne route.

The newly launched BWN-MEL route operates on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday on RBA's B777 aircraft flights BI53 and BI54.

RBA's inaugural flight to Melbourne departed Brunei International Airport at 10pm last night and was scheduled to arrive in Melbourne, Victoria today, at 7.55am in Tullamarine Airport, Melbourne. The return flight from Melbourne BI54 is scheduled to depart Tullamarine Airport today at 1.40pm and arrive in Bandar Seri Begawan on the same day, at 5.40pm.

Travelling aboard the maiden flight was a delegation from the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources led by Dato Paduka Dr Hj Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources.

Also among the delegates is the CEO of Brunei Tourism, Sheikh Jamaluddin.

"The launching of Royal Brunei Airline's direct flight to Melbourne will strengthen the relationship between Australia and Brunei Darussalam - not just within tourism and trade but also in, hopefully, the education sector," RBA's Deputy Chairman, Mr Dermot Mannion said. "The recent years have seen an increase in Brunei students' interest to studying in Australia - this direct flight to Melbourne aims to make it easier for students and their families to travel. For passengers bound for London from Melbourne, we provide transit options in Brunei and Dubai."

The Australian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, Mr Mark Sawers congratulated Royal Brunei Airlines on the momentous occasion.

"This new service is certainly welcome news to travellers both as a direct stop or transit option," said Mr Sawers. "Not only tourists will enjoy the new link but students and business associates will find this direct flight option a very timely convenience."

Ms Josie Abdullah, the Australian Trade Commission's Manager for Brunei and East Malaysia, also travelled on the inaugural flight to facilitate business meetings for Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources officials and as well as the Brunei International Chamber of Commerce representatives.

"The Victorian Government, Tourism Victoria and a number of key allies in Australia have been very supportive in putting together a work and visit programme," she said.

Customers can book flights with RBA through travel agents, by visiting the RBA Melbourne office at Level 10, 45 William Street, Melbourne Victoria, 3000, Australia or by logging onto the RBA Website at www.bruneiair.com.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
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