Brunei International Airport (BIA) is the largest airport in the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam, on the island of Borneo. It is located near Bandar Seri Begawan in the Brunei-Muara District, which is approximately 10 minutes from the centre of the capital. The airport serves as the home base and hub for Royal Brunei Airlines and can handle up to three million passengers annually.
What You'll Learn
- The airport is located near Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei-Muara District
- It is the largest airport in Brunei Darussalam
- Brunei International Airport is one of two airports in the country
- It serves as the home base for Royal Brunei Airlines
- The airport is located approximately 10 minutes from the capital's centre
The airport is located near Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei-Muara District
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 is approximately 10 minutes from the centre of the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, which was previously known as Brunei Town.
The construction of Brunei International Airport began in 1970 in Mukim Berakas in the Brunei-Muara District. This location was chosen because it was easily accessible from all areas of the country. The airport became operational in 1974, and its runway was one of the longest in the Far East at the time.
The airport serves as the home base and hub for Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) and the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF). It offers international destinations across Asia and Oceania, as well as flights to the Middle East and London Heathrow.
Brunei International Airport consists of an international terminal, a cargo terminal, and a royal terminal for the Sultan's flights. It can handle up to three million passengers annually and offers various facilities, including car rental options, taxi services, and public bus services to and from the airport.
The airport has expanded its retail space, offering a seamless shopping experience with international and local concept stores, eateries, banks, and other amenities. It is equipped with 40 check-in counters, 12 emigration counters, and 14 immigration clearance counters to facilitate smooth passenger processing.
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It is the largest airport in Brunei Darussalam
Brunei International Airport (BIA) is the largest airport in Brunei Darussalam. It is located near Bandar Seri Begawan in the Brunei-Muara District, which is approximately 10 minutes from the centre of the capital. The airport serves as the home base and hub for Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA) and is one of two airports in the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam, on the island of Borneo.
Commercial air transport in Brunei Darussalam 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 connected Brunei to British Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak, Singapore, and other overseas destinations, operated primarily by Borneo Airways and Malayan Airways. These early airport services were based out of the Berakas area, utilising an old runway built by the Japanese during World War II.
As air travel gained popularity in the 1970s, the old airport at Berakas became overwhelmed, prompting the government to seek a new site for a modern international airport. Construction of the new airport began in 1970 in Mukim Berakas in the Brunei-Muara District, a location chosen for its ease of access from all parts of the country. The airport became operational in 1974, boasting one of the longest runways in the Far East.
Today, Brunei International Airport features an international terminal capable of handling up to three million passengers, a cargo terminal with a capacity of 50,000 tonnes, and a royal terminal for the sultan's flights. The airport offers a range of shops and eateries, banking services, a post office, and car rental options. It serves international destinations across Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, and London Heathrow.
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Brunei International Airport is one of two airports in the country
Brunei International Airport (BIA) is located near Bandar Seri Begawan in the Brunei-Muara District of Brunei. It is the primary international airport and one of only two airports in the country, which is officially known as the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam. The airport is situated on the island of Borneo and serves as the home base for Royal Brunei Airlines, as well as the headquarters for the Royal Brunei Air Force.
The construction of Brunei International Airport began in 1970 due to the increasing popularity of air travel, which had caused the previous airport at Berakas to become overwhelmed. The new airport became operational in 1974, boasting one of the longest runways in the Far East. Royal Brunei Airlines, then known as Royal Brunei, also took its inaugural flight in 1975, using the newly constructed airport as its hub.
Brunei International Airport has undergone several upgrades and expansions over the years to accommodate increasing passenger traffic. The airport consists of an international terminal capable of handling up to three million passengers, a cargo terminal with a capacity of 50,000 tonnes, and a royal terminal for the sultan's flights. Various shops and eateries are available, including international and local concept stores, fast-food outlets, and cafes.
The airport is conveniently located just a 10-minute drive from the centre of the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. Transportation options include car rentals, taxi services, and regular public bus services. Brunei International Airport serves international destinations across Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, and London Heathrow.
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It serves as the home base for Royal Brunei Airlines
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, just north of the capital of Brunei. The airport serves as the home base and hub for Royal Brunei Airlines (RB), the country's flag carrier, which is wholly owned by the Government of Brunei.
Royal Brunei Airlines was established on 18 November 1974, and its maiden voyage took place on 14 May 1975, departing from the newly built Brunei International Airport to Singapore. The airline was formed with an initial fleet of two Boeing 737-200 aircraft, serving Singapore, Hong Kong, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching. Today, Royal Brunei Airlines operates to 32 destinations across south-east Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Oceania.
The use of Brunei International Airport as its hub has been instrumental in the growth and expansion of Royal Brunei Airlines. The airline has been able to add new routes and destinations over the years, including Manila in 1976, Bangkok in 1977, and Kuala Lumpur in 1981. The airline also expanded its fleet, acquiring more advanced aircraft such as the Boeing 757-200 and Boeing 767, which enabled them to reach further destinations.
The airline has continued to grow and adapt, introducing new aircraft models, such as the Airbus A319 and A320, and expanding its network to include destinations like Auckland, Ho Chi Minh City, and Sydney. Royal Brunei Airlines has also focused on improving its services and facilities, such as introducing new seating configurations and enhancing its loyalty programme, Royal Skies.
Overall, the partnership between Brunei International Airport and Royal Brunei Airlines has been crucial in the development of aviation in Brunei, connecting the country to the world and contributing to the growth of the region's travel and tourism industry.
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The airport is located approximately 10 minutes from the capital's centre
Brunei International Airport (BIA) is located in the Brunei-Muara District, just 10 minutes from the capital's centre, Bandar Seri Begawan. It is the largest airport in the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam, and it serves as the primary international airport and official airport of entry.
The airport's convenient location in the Brunei-Muara District makes it easily accessible from all areas of the country. This accessibility, along with the growth in popularity of air travel, led to the construction of a new, modern airport in 1970. The airport became operational in 1974, boasting one of the longest runways in the Far East.
Today, Brunei International Airport continues to be a significant hub for air travel in the region. It serves international destinations across Asia and Oceania, as well as the Middle East and London Heathrow. The airport has an international terminal capable of handling up to three million passengers, a cargo terminal, and a royal terminal for the Sultan's flights.
Various transportation options are available to and from the airport, including car rental services, regular taxi services, and public bus services. The close proximity to the capital's centre makes it a convenient gateway for travellers visiting or departing from Brunei's capital city.
The airport also offers a range of shops and eateries, both international and local, providing a seamless shopping and dining experience for passengers. With its convenient location, efficient transportation options, and comprehensive facilities, Brunei International Airport plays a crucial role in connecting Brunei to the world.
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Frequently asked questions
Brunei International Airport is located near Bandar Seri Begawan in the Brunei-Muara District.
The airport is approximately 10 minutes from the centre of the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.
There are several options to get to the airport, including personal car rental, taxi, and public bus. The taxi ride takes around 15 minutes, and the bus takes about 30 minutes.
The coordinates of Brunei International Airport are 4°56′39″N 114°55′42″E / 4.94417°N 114.92833°E.