Brunei Airport: A Small Hub With Big Dreams

how big is brunei airport

Brunei International Airport is the main airport in the country and is located in the Brunei-Muara District. It is a 3-star airport, offering facilities such as a food court, streamlined baggage handling, and transport to and from the airport. The airport is fairly small, with one reviewer commenting that it is the size of a bus station. However, it is certified as a 3-star airport for facilities, comfort, cleanliness, shopping, food and beverages, staff service, and security/immigration. The airport's modernisation project aimed to double its capacity from 1.5 million to 3 million passengers per year and to present a modern image while expressing the unique culture of Brunei Darussalam.

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Brunei International Airport is small but clean and pleasant-looking

Brunei International Airport is a small airport, but it has a pleasant appearance and is kept clean. It has been described as "decent" and "not a bad airport", with reasonable facilities. The airport has a modern image, with a new iconic building featuring a soaring arched roof that houses the departure and arrival halls. It has centralised security screening and immigration facilities, and a new baggage handling system. The airport is also quite efficient, with streamlined baggage handling and delivery.

While the airport is small, it offers most basic facilities, including a food court with international and national food choices, mobile operators selling tourist SIM cards, and transport options. The staff are friendly and helpful. However, the free internet access is limited to one hour, after which users have to pay. The airport also has a lounge, a cafe, a jewellery shop, an internet cafe, and a stationary shop.

For those with long layovers, there are small rooms available with beds and showers, which can be a good alternative to a hotel. There are also bus tours available, but these can be quite expensive. The airport's duty-free shopping options are limited, and the transfer security screening process has been described as inefficient.

Overall, Brunei International Airport is a pleasant and clean airport with friendly staff. It may not have extensive facilities or shopping options, but it is well-organised and efficient, making it a convenient option for travellers.

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The airport has a cafe, shops, and an internet cafe

Brunei International Airport is the main airport in the country. It is a 3-star airport, with a rating influenced by its facilities, comfort, cleanliness, shopping, food and beverages, staff service, and security/immigration. The airport has undergone modernisation, with the construction of a new iconic building with a soaring arched roof to house the departure and arrival halls, centralised security screening, and immigration facilities.

For those with longer layovers, there are small rooms available with beds and showers, which can be a good alternative to a hotel stay. The airport also offers bus tours, but these can be quite expensive. In terms of shopping, duty-free options are limited, but haggling is possible and can result in good value purchases. Credit card payments are recommended over cash to obtain a better exchange rate.

Overall, Brunei International Airport provides a pleasant experience with friendly staff and adequate facilities, including the cafe, shops, and internet cafe, to cater to the needs of travellers passing through.

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It has streamlined baggage handling and delivery

Brunei International Airport (BWN) is the main airport in Brunei. It is a small airport, but it has streamlined baggage handling and delivery. The airport has undergone modernisation and expansion, with the addition of a new baggage handling system. This has improved the efficiency of baggage handling and delivery, making it faster and more convenient for passengers.

The new baggage handling system is part of the airport's modernisation project, which aimed to double the airport's capacity and present a modern image while showcasing the unique culture of Brunei Darussalam. The project included the construction of a new iconic building with centralised security screening, state-of-the-art airport systems, and improved facilities.

The streamlined baggage handling and delivery system at Brunei International Airport ensures that passengers' luggage is processed efficiently, reducing the time passengers spend waiting for their bags. This contributes to an overall positive travel experience, making the airport a pleasant and convenient transit point for travellers.

The airport's small size also contributes to its efficient baggage handling. Passengers can quickly move from the arrival area to the baggage claim, as the airport is not vast and sprawling. This streamlined process allows passengers to collect their luggage and proceed to their destinations without lengthy delays.

Additionally, the airport offers a range of other facilities, including a food court with international and national cuisine options, mobile operators selling tourist SIM cards, and transport options for onward travel. Overall, Brunei International Airport provides a well-organised and convenient experience for travellers, with efficient baggage handling and delivery being a notable feature.

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The airport is certified as a 3-star airport for facilities, comfort, and cleanliness

Brunei International Airport (BWN) is the main airport in the country. It has been certified as a 3-star airport for facilities, comfort, and cleanliness. The airport has undergone modernisation and expansion, with the addition of a new departure and arrival hall, centralised security screening, and state-of-the-art airport systems. The airport aims to provide a modern image while expressing the unique culture of Brunei Darussalam.

The airport is considered small by some users, but it offers most basic facilities and services. These include a food court with international and national cuisine options, streamlined baggage handling, transport availability, and free internet access for an hour. The staff at the airport are described as friendly and helpful.

Reviews highlight the cleanliness and pleasant atmosphere of the airport. However, some travellers mention limited facilities and express disappointment with the airside transfer zone, suggesting improvements in the dining selection and transfer security screening processes.

The airport is served by Royal Brunei Airlines, the biggest airline based in Brunei, which offers flights to various international destinations. The modernisation project aimed to double the airport's capacity from 1.5 million to 3 million passengers annually.

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It is the main airport in the country with flights to 17 destinations

Brunei International Airport (BIA) is the primary international airport in the country and the official airport of entry. It is one of two airports in the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam, on the island of Borneo. The airport is located near Bandar Seri Begawan in the Brunei-Muara District and serves as the home base and hub for Royal Brunei Airlines.

BIA serves international destinations across Asia and Oceania and also has flights to the Middle East and London Heathrow. Commercial air transport in Brunei began in 1953, with initial flights connecting Brunei Town (present-day Bandar Seri Begawan) with Anduki in the Belait District. These initial flights were primarily provided by Borneo Airways and Malayan Airways. The growth in the popularity of air travel in the 1970s resulted in a significant increase in civil aviation, prompting the government to scout for a new site to build a modern international airport. The construction of BIA began in 1970, and the airport became operational in 1974.

BIA has undergone modernisation and expansion projects to increase its capacity and enhance its facilities. The airport consists of an international terminal which can handle up to three million passengers, a cargo terminal with a capacity of 50,000 tonnes of cargo, and a royal terminal for the sultan's flights. The terminal includes various shops and restaurants, including international fast-food outlets, regional fast food, and local 'concept stores' offering food, drinks, and jewellery.

The following airlines operate regular scheduled services at BIA, connecting it to multiple destinations:

  • Kuala Lumpur–International
  • Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta
  • Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi
  • Chennai
  • Dubai–International
  • Hangzhou
  • Ho Chi Minh City
  • Hong Kong
  • Kota Kinabalu
  • Kuching
  • London–Heathrow
  • Manila
  • Melbourne
  • Nanning
  • Seoul–Incheon
  • Shanghai–Pudong
  • Singapore
  • Surabaya
  • Taipei–Taoyuan
  • Tokyo–Narita

Frequently asked questions

Brunei International Airport is considered a small airport, with one source describing it as "the size of a bus station". However, it is the main airport in the country and efforts have been made to modernise it and double its capacity to 3 million passengers per year.

The airport has basic facilities, including a food court, shops, and a lounge. Some sources suggest that it can get boring during long layovers, so it is recommended to book a short layover or plan to explore the city if possible.

The airport functions as an important transfer point, but most services are located in the landside areas. The airside transfer zone has been described as disappointing, with limited facilities, rest areas, and dining options. The transfer security screening process has also been criticised for its inefficiency.

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