HM makes surprise visit to airport
Thursday, July 10, 2008
THE Brunei International Airport was the site of a surprise visit conducted by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam amid the launching of the Tourist Information Centre yesterday.
On hand to greet His Majesty was the director of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), Pengiran Hj Abd Rahman Pengiran Seri Indera Pengiran Hj Ismail who accompanied His Majesty throughout the visit.
His Majesty's first stop was the departure area where the DCA director showed some of the new TV monitors installed for tourists and then moved towards the security check and through the transit hall.
His Majesty then inspected the area beginning with the waiting hall, the duty-free shops and finally the security hall while being greeted by passengers.
The monarch then proceeded to view the new Tourist Information Centre and business premise, and later advanced to the medical room before leaving through the immigration hall and towards the restaurants and shops on the second floor.
Passengers were delighted with His Majesty's presence at the airport. Visitors at the terminal felt fortunate to have the opportunity to see His Majesty in person. One traveller said that she felt "lucky" to be so close to His Majesty.
She told a fellow passenger that she had only read and seen pictures of His Majesty in media and television and "never expected" that she would have the chance to experience a "close encounter" with him in person.
One of the places visited by His Majesty was The Body Shop branch at the departure hall. An employee there told The Brunei Times that His Majesty asked her how many employees were currently working in the store and who the owner was. She said that she was "happy" to have met and spoken with His Majesty.
Upon concluding His Majesty's visit to the Brunei International Airport, the benevolent ruler proceeded to the Brunei International Air Cargo Centre (BIACC). There, His Majesty toured the facilities of the BIACC including the customs counter and the security offices.
His Majesty expressed his concern over the conditions of the office tables and the overall presentation of the office. His Majesty also said that the filing system the BIACC had put in place needed improvements to meet consumer demands.
The cargo loading and unloading area also came under scrutiny. His Majesty surveyed the area of operations before moving on to the Royal Customs and Excise Department's Inspection Section.
BIACC employees scrambled to catch a close glimpse of His Majesty as well as an opportunity to shake hands with the benevolent ruler.
His Majesty then proceeded to visit the DCA offices and later went to the hangar before ending his visit at the Brunei International Airport.
The Brunei Times
On hand to greet His Majesty was the director of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), Pengiran Hj Abd Rahman Pengiran Seri Indera Pengiran Hj Ismail who accompanied His Majesty throughout the visit.
Airport surprise: (Above) His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah (2nd R) at the X-ray machine during his surprise visit to the Royal Brunei International Airport. (Below Left) His Majesty (2nd R) at the Brunei International Air Cargo Centre with Minister of Communications Pehin Dato Haji Abu Bakar (R). (Below Middle) His Majesty (L) looking at the assembling of the RBA plane with RBA's CEO Ray Sayer (R) at the hangar. (Below Right) His Majesty (L) inspecting the immigration office at the Air Cargo Centre. (Bottom Left to Right) His Majesty listening to a shop owner inside the airport, meeting the public and going down the stairs from the VIP Lounge with Pehin Dato Haji Abu Bakar and others. Pictures: Saifulizam and Zamri Zainal »More pictures...
His Majesty's first stop was the departure area where the DCA director showed some of the new TV monitors installed for tourists and then moved towards the security check and through the transit hall.
His Majesty then inspected the area beginning with the waiting hall, the duty-free shops and finally the security hall while being greeted by passengers.
The monarch then proceeded to view the new Tourist Information Centre and business premise, and later advanced to the medical room before leaving through the immigration hall and towards the restaurants and shops on the second floor.
Passengers were delighted with His Majesty's presence at the airport. Visitors at the terminal felt fortunate to have the opportunity to see His Majesty in person. One traveller said that she felt "lucky" to be so close to His Majesty.
She told a fellow passenger that she had only read and seen pictures of His Majesty in media and television and "never expected" that she would have the chance to experience a "close encounter" with him in person.
One of the places visited by His Majesty was The Body Shop branch at the departure hall. An employee there told The Brunei Times that His Majesty asked her how many employees were currently working in the store and who the owner was. She said that she was "happy" to have met and spoken with His Majesty.
Upon concluding His Majesty's visit to the Brunei International Airport, the benevolent ruler proceeded to the Brunei International Air Cargo Centre (BIACC). There, His Majesty toured the facilities of the BIACC including the customs counter and the security offices.
His Majesty expressed his concern over the conditions of the office tables and the overall presentation of the office. His Majesty also said that the filing system the BIACC had put in place needed improvements to meet consumer demands.
The cargo loading and unloading area also came under scrutiny. His Majesty surveyed the area of operations before moving on to the Royal Customs and Excise Department's Inspection Section.
BIACC employees scrambled to catch a close glimpse of His Majesty as well as an opportunity to shake hands with the benevolent ruler.
His Majesty then proceeded to visit the DCA offices and later went to the hangar before ending his visit at the Brunei International Airport.
The Brunei Times
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