Royal Brunei Airlines Wins Global Award For Empowering Women And Building Aviation Leaders

Written By: Binoy Mehera

Binoy Mehera

A curious mind driven by a passion for storytelling, I find inspiration in uncovering hidden perspectives, exploring diverse experiences, and shaping ideas into narratives that leave an impact. With three years of experience in journalism and content creation, I have developed a strong instinct for identifying meaningful stories, blending research with creativity, and presenting information in a way that connects with readers. My storytelling journey is guided by a fascination for culture, travel, lifestyle, and the human experiences that define our world. I aim to create narratives that not only inform but also spark curiosity, evoke emotions, and offer audiences a deeper understanding of every story.

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August 29, 2026 10:32 PM |

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Royal Brunei Airlines wins another international award for supporting women and creating the next generation of aviation leaders. As Brunei’s national carrier, Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) has been bestowed the WOMANi Championship Award for Women’s Empowerment 2026. Royal Brunei Airlines is recognized for its efforts to create a workforce that is inclusive of women. Women are in leadership positions and operate in various areas such as operations and physcial, commercial and technical functions. This award also works to support and strengthen the Vision of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam for a workforce of the future that is skilled and ready.

The prestigious award was announced at the WOMANi Awards 2026 ceremony held at Hilton Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, following the WOMANi Symposium 2026, which focused on the theme “Empowering Women at Work and Advancing Women in Leadership.” The seventh annual event brought together more than 250 participants and honoured over 20 global organisations and individuals for their contributions towards women’s advancement.

Organised by Cambridge IFA (Cambridge International Financial Advisory), a UK-based financial services intelligence organisation with expertise in Islamic finance, WOMANi is a global platform dedicated to supporting women’s empowerment and recognising institutions that build inclusive environments where women can succeed and progress into leadership positions.

For Royal Brunei Airlines, the award highlights a continued commitment to strengthening career pathways for women across the organisation. Women currently play important roles throughout RB’s operations, including flight operations, cabin services, engineering, ground handling, commercial activities, corporate functions and senior decision-making positions.

Colonel Norsuriati Haji Sharbini, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Royal Brunei Airlines, said the recognition represents not only the airline’s achievements but also the dedication and contribution of women across RB.

She highlighted that women’s empowerment is embedded within the airline’s organisational values and reflects RB’s commitment to developing employees, encouraging professional growth and creating opportunities for women to lead with confidence.

As Brunei Darussalam’s national carrier, RB views the award as part of its wider role in supporting the country’s vision for a skilled, inclusive and future-ready workforce under Wawasan Brunei 2035.

The airline’s journey in promoting women’s participation in aviation includes several significant milestones. In 2016, RB achieved a historic moment when it operated a flight to Jeddah with an all-female flight deck crew, marking an important step in showcasing women’s capabilities in traditionally male-dominated aviation roles.

Today, women continue to contribute across RB’s technical, operational, commercial and leadership departments, reflecting the expanding opportunities available within the aviation industry.

The WOMANi Championship Award also carries significance for RB as an organisation representing Brunei Darussalam’s values and Islamic identity. The airline continues to promote the belief that empowering women to develop their talents, pursue professional advancement and participate in leadership strengthens businesses, communities and society.

Beyond its internal workforce initiatives, RB supports broader programmes focused on inclusion, education, accessibility and community development. These efforts align with the airline’s wider objective of nurturing talent and creating meaningful opportunities for future generations.

The recognition from WOMANi celebrates Royal Brunei Airlines’ progress in building a workplace where women can participate, grow and lead while reinforcing the airline’s ongoing commitment to diversity, capability development and sustainable workforce growth.