The Government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia to update the Freedom of the Air Traffic Rights in Riyadh on Monday, following the Air Services Agreement signed in 1992 and the Confidential MoU signed in 2009.
The new MoU allows the operation of third, fourth and fifth Freedom of the Air Traffic Rights for passenger and cargo services without restrictions, according to Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC). Designated airlines from Brunei, including Royal Brunei Airlines, are permitted to operate to any destinations in Saudi Arabia, including to Madinah, as normal scheduled flights.
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and Chairman of the Board of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) Saudi Arabia Eng Saleh bin Nasser Al Jasser officiated the signing ceremony during the Third Edition of the Future Aviation Forum (FAF2024) at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center (KIACC) in Riyadh.
Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha and Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to Saudi Arabia Haji Harun bin Haji Junid witnessed the signing on behalf of His Majesty’s Government.
Permanent Secretary at the MTIC Ir Haji Mohammad Nazri bin Haji Mohammad Yusof signed on behalf of His Majesty’s Government while President of GACA, Saudi Arabia Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej signed on behalf of Saudi Arabia.
Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary also attended the FAF2024. The forum from Monday to yesterday, focused on key areas crucial to the future of aviation: sustainability, innovation and technology, expanding business opportunities, and investing in human capital. Aside from plenary discussions, technical sessions and workshops also took place throughout the forum.
Ir Haji Mohammad Nazri and Acting Director of Civil Aviation at the Department of Civil Aviation Haji Mohamad Azlan bin Haji Mohammad Junaidi accompanied the minister along with senior ministry officials. – James Kon
