Airport's Grand Arrival Hall Opens October

The makeshift hallway will be closed as passengers will utilise the newly constructed hall in front of the P1 Car Park, which is about 2,600 square metres, where arriving passengers will be received.

With the opening of the new Arrival Hall, the Brunei International Airport's modernisation project will be reaching a key milestone.

Restaurants and retail shops are expected to open for business within the month of October as well. In addition to restrooms, there will also be prayers rooms located in the arrival and departure halls. There will also be a lift and escalator for easy access.

To inform members of the public on the opening of the Arrival Hall, a press conference was held by the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) and Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), Ministry of Communications as well as the consultant and contractor of the project yesterday.

Present at the briefing were Lim Kee Ann, Acting Director of Civil Aviation Department and Tan Khoon Kian, Senior Project Manager from TRCjvSWEE.

Lee San San, Manager of Infrastructure Development from BEDB who conducted the briefing said, "The P1 and P2 carparks will not be affected by the changes. The existing arrival hall and hallway will be closed for the next phase starting from October 1. The Meet and Greet area which include KFC, a bookshop and Delifrance will still be in use by early November this year."

On the movement, she explained, "Passengers arriving through the Arrival Hall will go through a new passenger's tunnel, that has lights and air-conditioning, to the new Meet and Greet area which have direct access to the P1 Car Park. The contractor will put in temporarily access to the area and also towards the P2 Car Park."

She also added, "In addition, there will be ongoing minor works and fine tuning put in place. The baggage handling system is also still under construction and installation is being done in the new Departure Hall."

On another milestone, Lee San San said. "The new Gate One will be open for Asean delegates for the upcoming Asean Summit. Guests and other passengers will come through via the new Meet and Greet area in the Arrival Hall."

The whole project of the Brunei International Airport's terminal modernisation is to be completed by the end of 2014 together with the new airport Surau. Lee San San added that the construction of the project is currently on track and on schedule.

Members of the public are also advised that with the new changes, the existing Departure Hall is accessible both from the departure drop-off area as well as the escalators and lift within the new Arrival Hall.

The existing retail outlets and restaurants are still operating as usual.

Regarding the ongoing equipment installation and minor works which have been carried out, BEDB and DCA have advised members of the public to be cooperative and understanding by following all signs that will be put up at the airport. In addition, members of the public are advised to observe all safety rules to ensure a smooth and easy transition.