BiG Buzz : Take Off to Balikpapan with Royal Brunei

After a 24-year hiatus, the Brunei-Balikpapan direct flight has made a triumphant comeback, leaving a lasting impression towards strengthening bilateral ties. The inaugural flight will take place on February 19, 2025. Indonesia’s Ambassador to Brunei, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Ubaedilah, emphasised that “[this] flight route is a great moment, important in bilateral relations. This step is the realisation of a very strong desire to increase connectivity between nations, intercultural and economic”, calling for further collaborations to expand Brunei’s link with Indonesian cities.

The relaunch was marked by a reception attended by Minister of Development and Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) Chairman Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Hj Mohd Juanda bin Hj Abdul Rashid, the CEO of RBA, and business representatives from both nations. The auspicious event featured the ceremonial cutting of ‘tumpeng’ and cultural performances by the Indonesian community. Ultimately, this connection reinforces the importance of regional accessibility in today’s fast-moving world.