RBA returns to service Brunei-Kuching route

KUCHING: Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) is returning to service the Kuching-Brunei sector after a five-year absence, with the first flight from Brunei International Airport having landed at Kuching International Airport (KIA) at 11.45pm on Friday.

On-board the flight were Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Sarawak Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and the ministry’s permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee.

Welcoming the passengers was Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin, who expressed his hope that tourists from China would be able to explore Sarawak when visiting Brunei with the revival of this Brunei-Kuching route.

The route, which takes one hour and 15 minutes in flight, is expected to stimulate visitors’ flow between Brunei and Kuching, as well as to provide vital links to connect to the wider Borneo.

“Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and industry partners are looking forward to work closely together to ensure the sustainability of the route and to facilitate joint promotions, in ensuring longterm business interest of all concerned (parties),” said STB chief executive officer Sharzede Salleh Askor in a press statement.

The flight from Brunei to Kuching is serviced by RB A320 aircraft via two weekly flights, which will be increased to four weekly flights beginning this coming Feb 3.

Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and industry partners are looking forward to work closely together to ensure the sustainability of the route and to facilitate joint promotions, in ensuring long-term business interest of all concerned (parties). — Sharzede Salleh Askor, STB chief executive officer