Royal Brunei Airlines reinstates twice-weekly direct flights to Kuching
KUCHING: Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) has reinstated its direct flights to Kuching with twiceweekly flights on Thursday and Sunday, in view of the reopening of borders.
On every Thursday and Sunday from May 1 to June 30, a Royal Brunei Airlines flight will depart from Brunei at 7.25pm and arrive in Kuching at 8.40pm, while another flight will depart from Kuching at 9.30pm and arrive in Brunei at 10.55pm.
With the release of its new operating schedule effective May 1, RB said its Airbus A320neo aircraft, with flight number BI855, will be servicing the route with a passenger capacity of 150.
The airline said the decision to reinstate the flights came after an announcement of Green List countries by the Brunei government for non-essential international travels.
“Brunei and Sarawak have a long history of close ties and family relations, thus Team RB is very excited to provide and offer our customers and guests to finally reconnect with their families and loved ones since the closure of borders during this Covid-19 pandemic,” said RB acting chief executive officer Capt Sabirin Abdul Hamid in a statement.
Sabirin said since the temporary suspension of Kuching flights in 2020, the airline had reviewed and revamped its booking and checkin system with the processes being simplified, either online via www.flyroyalbrunei.com or over the counter.
“Over the next few months, RB will be reintroducing out network back to our guests, so be sure to check-out our website and social media for the latest offers and new flights,” he added.
Sarawak Tourism Board CEO Sharzede Salleh Askor said the decision by Royal Brunei Airlines to reinstate the flights was very much welcomed, and that the resumption of the direct flights was the beginning of the state tourism industry’s revival.
“First and foremost, we are very happy to have our partner Royal Brunei Airlines taking their flights back to Kuching.
“It was previously seven flights a week last time but now it is two flights a week with bigger aircraft,” Sharzede told reporters at Kuching International Airport after witnessing the flight arrival with 141 passengers onboard.
Among those present witnessing the arrival of the Royal Brunei Airlines aircraft was Kuching International Airport senior airport manager Jun Iskandar Murshidi.