The MoU outlines cooperation between the two airlines to work on opportunities that would result in reciprocal benefits.

Captain Sheikh Rashid Sheikh Hj Abd Salem, Senior Vice President of Commercial – Yield & Planning, signed on behalf of Royal Brunei Airlines and Commercial Director Dato’ Rashid Khan signed for Malaysia Airlines.

Captain Sheikh Rashid Hj Salam said,

“Under this MoU, we hope to further explore enhancements to domestic services in East Malaysia. We have implemented some pilot training arrangements with MASwings and we hope that the MoU will provide a platform for further joint development activities between Royal Brunei Airlines and Malaysia Airlines.”

Royal Brunei Airlines and Malaysia Airlines originally signed a codeshare agreement in 2004 for flights to Kuala Lumpur and on 1 July 2009 expanded the agreement to codeshare on Royal Brunei Airlines Kota Kinabalu and Kuching services.

Source: BruDirect.com

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said the proposal tabled by the state government recently had received positive response from the Brunei government, while the implementation of the project had been handed to the private sector.

Once operational, the ferry service would reduce travel time between Sabah and Brunei significantly, from seven to eight hours by land, to only two hours by sea.

“Though we suggested Sipitang earlier, Menumbok was chosen because Menumbok already had ferry services in place, so it can be carried out immediately,” he told reporters after launching Pesta Rumbia (Sago Festival) here Sunday.

Asked when the services will start, Masidi said: “It will depend on how fast the private sector implemented the project. The government has facilitated the laws and we hope the initiative will be taken by the private sector of both countries.”

Ferry operators in Sabah had already stated readiness to start operations once the main issues of concern had been ironed out.

Masidi said the suggestion was a result of discussions with the Brunei government earlier this year, and among other initiatives include a Memorandum of Understanding between the Sabah Tourism Board and Royal Brunei, in a joint effort to promote Sabah and Brunei as tourist destinations.

Meanwhile, Masidi said that Rumbia trees not only had potential for food products such as sago, but also as a brand for Kuala Penyu.

He said Kuala Penyu could be seen as a special district for the cultivation of Rumbia trees which apart from providing revenue for the locals, will also be a good tourist attraction.

“We need to cultivate Rumbia trees to prevent its extinction since such products cannot be found in other places,” he added.

Source: Bernama

In a joint statement Friday, the airlines said Malaysia Airlines will code share on Royal Brunei Airlines’ twice daily services between Bandar Seri Begawan and Kota Kinabalu and twice weekly services between Bandar Seri Begawan and Kuching.

The two airlines have been code sharing on flights between Bandar Seri Begawan and Kuala Lumpur since 2004.

“We are delighted to expand our partnership with Royal Brunei as Borneo is a popular destination for North American and North Asian tourists,” said Malaysia Airlines’ commercial director Datuk Rashid Khan.

“Our customers can now enjoy seamless connectivity to the three major cities which offer unique cultural heritage and natural attractions,” he said.

Royal Brunei Airlines’ senior vice president of commercial, sales and marketing, Wong Peng Hoon, said the airline will be able to effectively make travel to Borneo seamless for passengers with the code share on Sabah and Sarawak.

Passengers, he said, will also be able to take advantage of the increased number of flights into Borneo and access the booking facilities of both airlines.

Source: Bernama