Royal Brunei Airlines Connects Brunei And Chennai With New Direct Flights, Boosting Business Travel And Leisure Tourism

Written By: Dixita Baruah

Dixita Baruah

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November 7, 2024 12:41 PM

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Royal Brunei Airlines has launched direct flights between Brunei and Chennai, enhancing travel links and tourism opportunities between the two regions.

On November 5, 2024, an important milestone in aviation was celebrated in Chennai as Royal Brunei Airlines officially commenced direct flights on the Brunei-Chennai-Brunei route. This marks the airline’s sole destination in India, signaling a renewed commitment to connect with one of the largest aviation markets globally.

Historically, Royal Brunei Airlines previously offered flights to London through Kolkata and Dubai during the 1990s, but these services were halted following the 9/11 attacks. In recent years, the airline has operated charter flights to various destinations, including Coimbatore.

During a press conference, Captain Sabirin Bin Hj Abdul Hamid, CEO of Royal Brunei Airlines, emphasized the significance of entering the Indian market at this juncture, stating, “India is one of the biggest markets for aviation, and it was an ideal time to step in. We decided to choose Chennai as our starting point for this exciting venture.” The direct flight is expected to take approximately five hours and 30 minutes.

The inaugural flight from Bandar Seri Begawan showcased a unique ‘Brunei tourism’ livery, adorned with images of Brunei’s famous landmarks, natural beauty, and traditional songket patterns. Among the passengers were a large delegation from the Brunei Economic Development Board, highlighting the strong ties between the two regions.

The new service, designated as flight BI121/BI122, will operate three times a week—on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays—utilizing a 150-seat, two-class Airbus A320N. This direct connection is set to enhance business and tourism opportunities between Brunei, located on the island of Borneo, and southern India.

Representatives from STIC Travel Group, the airline’s general sales agent in India, pointed out that Brunei Darussalam is home to a significant Indian diaspora, particularly from Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The airline aims to cater to a diverse range of travelers, including business professionals, students, and tourists. Additionally, there is potential for onward travel to other Southeast Asian destinations as well as Melbourne, Australia.

To facilitate travel, Royal Brunei Airlines has established an interline agreement with Air India, allowing seamless connections for passengers traveling from Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi to Chennai.

Nazmi Mahali from Brunei Tourism shared their commitment to improving visa processing times for tourists. With diverse attractions such as Ulu Temburong and Mangrove River Cruises, Brunei aims to offer an appealing range of options for visitors.

The launch of these direct flights is anticipated to significantly bolster tourism and business exchanges between Brunei and India, fostering closer ties between the two nations.