Royal Brunei’s first flight to Melbourne
On 29 March 2011, Royal Brunei Airlines launched its four times weekly services to Melbourne. The flight operates to Melbourne on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday on Royal Brunei Airline’s B777 aircraft flights BI53 and BI54. The maiden flight will depart Bandar Seri Begawan at 10:00 pm and arrive at Melbourne, Victoria the next day, at 07:55 am in Tullamarine Airport, Melbourne. The return flight from Melbourne BI54 will depart Tullamarine Airport at 01:40 pm and arrive in Bandar Seri Begawan at 05:40 pm.
Joining on Royal Brunei Airline’s inaugural flight to Melbourne is a delegation from the Ministry of Industry of Primary Resources, led by Yang Mulia, Dato Paduka Dr Hj Amin Liew Bin Abdullah, Permanent Secretary of Industry and Primary Resources. Also joining in the delegation is the Chief Executive Officer of Brunei Tourism, Sheikh Jamaluddin.
Royal Brunei Airline’s Deputy Chairman,Dermot Mannion said, “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. 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.”
His Excellency Mark Sawers, Australian High Commissioner congratulates Royal Brunei Airlines on this momentous occasion. “This new service is certainly welcome news to travellers both as a direct stop or transit option. Not only tourists will enjoy the new link but students and business associates will find this direct flight option a very timely convenience” said Mr Sawers. Ms Josie Abdullah, Australian Trade Commission’s Manager for Brunei and East Malaysia, will also be travelling on the inaugural flight to facilitate business meetings for Ministry and Industry and Primary Resources officials and as well as the Brunei International Chamber of Commerce representatives. Ms Abdullah said, “The Victorian Government, Tourism Victoria and a number of key allies in Australia has been very supportive in putting together a work and visit program.”