Royal Brunei Airlines, the authoritative hose of the Government of Brunei, has launched nonstop flights betwixt the superior metropolis Bandar Seri Begawan and Chennai to fortify ties betwixt the 2 countries, a apical authoritative announced connected Wednesday. An Airbus A320NEO, carrying passengers from Brunei, was welcomed with a accepted h2o cannon salute upon its accomplishment successful Chennai connected Tuesday astatine 10.50 p.m. section time, Royal Brunei Airlines Chief Executive Officer Captain Sabirin bin Hj Abdul Hamid said.
The motorboat of this aerial connectivity besides marks the 40th day of diplomatic relations betwixt the 2 nations, helium noted.
"India is simply a large marketplace for aviation. The system present is booming, and the aviation manufacture is besides increasing rapidly. There is simply a beardown taste transportation betwixt Chennai and Brunei," Hamid told reporters.
India ranks among the apical 10 countries for tourer arrivals to Brunei, with astir 4,000 Indians visiting the Southeast Asian state from January to September 2024. Approximately 14,000 Indians are employed crossed assorted companies successful Brunei, helium added.
Royal Brunei Airlines antecedently operated flights connecting Singapore and Kolkata, but that work was discontinued respective years ago.
"Launching this caller way is much than conscionable a formation connection—it is simply a span betwixt 2 nations. We are thrilled to unfastened caller opportunities for tourism, trade, and taste speech betwixt Brunei and India. This way connects Bruneians and planetary guests to the vibrant metropolis of Chennai and offers expanded question options for Indians wishing to research Brunei," Hamid said.
In effect to a query, helium mentioned that the hose plans to present akin flights betwixt Bandar Seri Begawan and different Indian cities, including Delhi. "Our adjacent destination successful India is inactive nether study. We whitethorn motorboat a formation connecting Delhi. We are analysing the market," helium said.
The Chennai-Bandar Seri Begawan flights volition run connected Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with an introductory fare of Rs 31,000 for round-trip tickets. This caller way represents a important enlargement successful Royal Brunei Airlines' planetary network, allowing passengers from Chennai to question via Brunei to destinations specified arsenic Hong Kong, Manila, Seoul, and Melbourne.
The motorboat of the work besides marks a historical measurement successful strengthening cultural, economic, and people-to-people ties betwixt Brunei and India, Hamid said.
Royal Brunei Airlines is represented successful India by its web spouse STIC Travel Group, led by Founder-Chairman Subhash Goyal, handling summons bookings and visa processing for passengers traveling to Brunei.
Royal Brunei Airlines operates a fleet of 5 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners and 7 Airbus A320NEOs successful its network.