By Azlan Othman
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam made a surprise visit to the terminal building of the Brunei International Airport yesterday.
This was the third visit to the airport by His Majesty, the previous two being two years ago. The ruler had also visited the RBA plaza in the capital two years ago.
The visit that started at around 9am saw His Majesty inspecting facilities, and scrutinising workplace and sections of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) including the Meteorological Section, Airport Management, administration, finance, operation, aeronautical telecommunication and the Air Traffic Control Tower.
The Department of Civil Aviation has a core mission to develop the Brunei International Airport as a leading regional air hub by providing the highest level of safety, security and efficiency in its aviation system and competitive services and facilities for maximum benefits to the aviation community.
The monarch also inspected Royal Brunei Airline's facilities including the Movement Control Centre (MCC), which monitors arriving and departing aircraft, Line Maintenance Section of the Engineering Department and the Baggage Handling Area.
Also coming under royal scrutiny were the Express Fast Food, areas around the departure hall including Immigration counters, waving gallery, sky lounge and cabin crew room.
During the visit, His Majesty also took time to pose for group photographs with the airport staff and signed the visitor's book. The unscheduled visit was also aimed at knowing the welfare of the staff. A closed-door meeting was also held after the tour.
His Majesty spoke to some of the passengers who were about to depart, including Dato Paduka Hj Hamdillah, Managing Director of the Brunei LNG, and also spoke to police personnel stationed at the departure gate.
The monarch then drove along the airport tarmac to tour the Air Traffic Control Tower located nearby.
Present during the visit were the Minister of Communications, Pehin Dato Awg Hj Zakaria; Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office-cum-the Chairman of RBA and its subsidiary companies, Pehin Dato Awg Hj Hazair; Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Communications, Pehin Dato Awg Hj Abdullah; CEO of RBA, Peter Foster; Permanent Secretary at the PM's Office-cum-the Deputy Chairman of the airline, Pg. Dato Hj Abdul Hamid; and senior officials from DCA.
- Borneo Bulletin
(13th May 2005)
