Brunei Airport Operations: Open For Business?

Brunei International Airport (BIA) is the primary international airport in the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam, on the island of Borneo. Located near Bandar Seri Begawan in the Brunei-Muara District, it serves as the home base for Royal Brunei Airlines. The airport became operational in 1974, and its runway was one of the longest in the Far East. Brunei International Airport consists of an international terminal which can handle up to three million passengers, a cargo terminal, and a royal terminal for the sultan's flights. The airport is open 24 hours.

Brunei International Airport's facilities and services

Brunei International Airport (BIA) is the primary international airport in the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam, located on the island of Borneo. The airport has undergone several upgrades and modifications since its construction in 1970, with the most recent upgrades aimed at accommodating larger aircraft and increasing passenger capacity.

Terminals

Brunei International Airport consists of three terminals: an international terminal, a cargo terminal, and a royal terminal for the Sultan's flights. The international terminal can handle up to three million passengers annually and features 40 check-in counters, 12 emigration counters, and 14 immigration clearance counters. The cargo terminal has a capacity of 50,000 tonnes of cargo.

Shopping and Dining

The airport offers a seamless shopping experience with a mix of international and local concept stores, including shops for chocolates, candies, delicatessen, books, gifts, souvenirs, fashion, and accessories. There are also various eateries, cafes, and restaurants, such as Burger King, KFC, Jollibee, Cilantro's Gourmet Patisserie, Tarindak by Graduates, and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

Banking and Currency Exchange

BIA provides convenient banking services with banks such as Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam and Standard Chartered Bank located within the terminal. Additionally, the EzXchange Money Changer offers currency exchange services in the Arrivals Hall from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Prayer and Rest Facilities

The airport features a prayer room located on the ground floor of the Departure Hall. For travellers seeking comfort and relaxation, BIA offers a VIP Lounge for business travellers and the Royal Brunei Sky Lounge, accessible through lounge passes or membership programs. Additionally, there are massage chairs and rest areas available throughout the airport.

Transportation

Brunei International Airport provides a range of transportation options for travellers. Car rental services are available from companies such as Avis and Hertz. Regular taxi services are also available, with fares ranging from BND$10.00 to BND$20.00 for a trip to the city centre. Public bus services are another affordable option, with a fare of BND$2.00, and buses run between 6:00 AM and 12:00 AM.

Other Amenities

Other facilities at BIA include a post office, the Department of Civil Aviation located within the air traffic control tower building, and the Brunei International Airport Mosque. Free WiFi is available for 30 minutes per device, and there are also free water bottle refill stations near the gates.

Transport options to and from the airport

Brunei International Airport is located around 8km from the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, and is the primary international airport in the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam. The airport is located near Bandar Seri Begawan in the Brunei-Muara District, and is the home base of Royal Brunei Airlines.

By Car

There are a few options for travelling to and from the airport by car. You can book an airport transfer service when you book your flight, or as an add-on to your booking. You can also contact your hotel in advance to arrange an airport-hotel pick-up. Car rental is also available at the airport from Avis and Hertz.

By Taxi

Taxis are available outside the passenger terminal, and there is also a taxi stand in the Arrivals Hall. The journey to the city centre takes around 15 minutes and costs between BND$10.00 and BND$20.00, or around €23 (BND 34). It is common for drivers to offer fixed fares, so be sure to agree on the final price before departing.

By Bus

The local bus, known as the Franchise Bus, is a cheap alternative to taxis, with a one-way ticket costing around €0.70 (BND 1). The bus stop is located in the car park outside the Arrivals Hall, and the journey to the city centre takes around 30 minutes. Routes 23, 24, 34, 36, and 38 serve the airport and various points throughout the city.

By Water Taxi

If you are staying in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, you can take a traditional water taxi to get around the water village. Rides usually cost between BND2 and BND5, but prices can be negotiated.

By App

There are a few transport apps available in Brunei, such as Dart, which can be used to book rides, and TransportBN, which provides information on bus routes and times.

Brunei International Airport's history

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

Commercial air transport in Brunei began in 1953, with the establishment of air service links connecting Brunei Town (now Bandar Seri Begawan) with Anduki in the Belait District. Initial flights connecting Brunei to British Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak, Singapore, and overseas destinations were provided by Borneo Airways and Malayan Airways. These airport services operated from the Berakas area, using a runway built by the Japanese during World War II. It was known as Brunei Airport.

The rise in air travel popularity in the 1970s led to a significant increase in civil aviation, and the old airport at Berakas became overwhelmed, operating beyond its capacity. This prompted the government to seek a new site to build a modern international airport. Construction of the new airport began in 1970 in Mukim Berakas in the Brunei-Muara District, a location accessible from all areas of the country. The airport opened in 1974, boasting one of the longest runways in the Far East.

In 1975, Royal Brunei Airlines, initially known as Royal Brunei, was founded and began operating from the newly constructed Brunei International Airport as its hub. This marked a significant milestone in the burgeoning era of Brunei's aviation history.

In 2008, a study was completed to review necessary expansions and modifications, and a master plan was developed. Phase 1, which included upgrading the passenger terminal and cargo terminal, was completed in 2013, with the new arrival hall opening on 1 October. The capacity of the airport was to be increased to three million passengers by the end of 2014. Phase 2, which includes the construction of a new terminal to accommodate up to eight million passengers, was planned to begin in 2022. The runway is also being upgraded to allow larger aircraft, such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747, to operate more easily.

The airport's food and shopping options

Brunei International Airport has a variety of food and shopping options for travellers to enjoy. The airport has expanded its retail space to offer a seamless shopping experience with both international and local concept stores and eateries. Most shops and eateries are open from 7 am to 11:30 pm every day.

For those with a sweet tooth, there are shops selling chocolates, candies and delicatessen. There are also fast-food restaurants, including international chains Burger King and KFC, as well as regional favourite Jollibee. If you're looking for a sit-down meal, there are cafes and restaurants such as Cilantro's Gourmet Patisserie, Tarindak by Graduates, and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

If you're looking to do some shopping, there are stores selling books, gifts, and souvenirs, such as the BWN Souvenirs & Aewon Store and the Mubarak Book Emporium. You can also browse fashion and accessories at shops like Sunju Enterprise Sdn Bhd and Million Goldsmith & Jewellery. For those interested in perfumes and cosmetics, there is the Paloma store.

In addition to these options, the airport also has a variety of other services and facilities, including banks, a currency exchange, ATMs, a prayer room, and a post office.

Brunei International Airport's lounges

Brunei International Airport (BIA) is located near Bandar Seri Begawan in the Brunei-Muara District. It is the primary international airport in the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam, on the island of Borneo. The airport has been operational since 1974 and is the home base and hub for Royal Brunei Airlines.

The airport consists of an international terminal, a cargo terminal, and a royal terminal for the sultan's flights. The international terminal has 40 check-in counters, 12 emigration counters, and 14 immigration clearance counters. It also includes a VIP Lounge for business travellers.

Royal Brunei's Sky Lounge

The Sky Lounge at Brunei International Airport is designed with the comfort and convenience of the airline's premium guests in mind. It offers fine dining, shower facilities, free internet access, and meeting rooms. There is also a dedicated prayer and ablution area for Muslim guests. The Sky Lounge is accessible to RB Business Class guests and Royal Skies Gold members. Royal Skies Blue members and guests from other airlines can access the lounge with a fee. Infants receive complimentary access, while a child rate applies for children aged 2 to 11 years old.

Business Class Lounge

The Business Class Lounge at Brunei International Airport offers fine dining and unlimited access to the Sky Lounge for RB Business Class guests and Royal Skies Gold members.

Other Lounges

Brunei International Airport also has a VIP Lounge for business travellers. Additionally, economy class passengers can pay to enter an airport lounge.

Frequently asked questions