Plans To Expand Brunei's Airport

[Shrubbery]

THE Brunei International Airport's (BIA) much-awaited expansion is finally taking off after an agreement was signed yesterday for an eight-month long master plan study by a team of local and foreign consultants.

The BIA, already facing congestion during peak hours with 1.4 million passengers recorded last year, is set to be expanded and refurbished with new passenger and cargo terminals, aircraft parking aprons, curb sides and car parks. The proposed facilities will have to be integrated within the existing infrastructure and to make the whole airport of world-class standard, according to the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).

A preliminary report on the master plan is expected to be ready by January next year, and a final report by July.

A crucial aspect of the project is ensuring uninterrupted airport operations throughout the development period. Singapore-based consultancy firm CPG Consultants, responsible for designing the Lion City's famed Changi International Airport, yesterday put forward a planning period consisting of a two-phase development programme during a presentation.

The first phase is planned for implementation from next year to 2012 (operational 2012 to 2024), and the second phase from 2024 to 2036 (operational 2024 to 2036).

The DCA has yet to release the project cost.

The expansion is also aimed to develop the BIA as the leading regional air hub for the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (Bimp-Eaga), with infrastructural focus on the following areas: an Airline Hub, an Airport City and a Cargo Village. The consultant team consists of LEAPP, a Kuala Lumpur-based firm with expertise in airspace planning, forecasting and demand/capacity analysis for passenger and cargo traffic; SKM Consulting, an Australian-based firm specialising in airport masterplanning, airport security, cargo planning and aviation business planning; and Consulus Cato Partners, an Australian-based firm with expertise in Branding Strategy and Design.

Communications Minister Dato Paduka Haji Yusoff Haji Abdul Hamid witnessed the contract signing between Haji Sapawi Bolhassan of local engineering consultant firm Petar Perunding and the ministry's permanent secretary, Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof at its headquarters on Jalan Menteri Besar.

Commercial air transport began in Brunei in 1953 through the establishment of air service links connecting the capital with Anduki, Belait District, through airport services operated from the Berakas area at an old runway site built by the Japanese during World War II. The 1970s saw a growth in the popularity of air travel in the sultanate, with the old airport operating beyond its capacity. Prompted to cater for the growing number of passengers, the government constructed a new airport in Mukim Berakas. In 1974, the Brunei International Airport began its operations.

The Brunei Times.

[stats]

I lived in Brunei for about 15 years and still most of my family members are still there in Bandar Seri Begawan . The Airport is very very small and its great to know that they are expanding it. In recent years B.S.B have made massive changes . As i can remember 15 years ago most of the retail outlets closed at 7pm everyday and the only shopping mall there is was Yaohan the japanese retail mall.

Shrubbery , Are you in Brunei ???

Edited November 6, 2007 by tytus

[Shrubbery]

I lived in Brunei for about 15 years and still most of my family members are still there in Bandar Seri Begawan . The Airport is very very small and its great to know that they are expanding it. In recent years B.S.B have made massive changes . As i can remember 15 years ago most of the retail outlets closed at 7pm everyday and the only shopping mall there is was Yaohan the japanese retail mall.

Shrubbery , Are you in Brunei ???

Yes I am in Brunei.

I was here for 3 years in the 90's and came back early last year.

It has changed conciderably. There are a quite a few more shopping malls now. (Selling the same stuff).

The roads have improved. The red tape is still the same.

[stats]

Yayasan Shopping Mall is another nice place to go around in BSB. I might go back early next year to visits relative.

[Shrubbery]

Yayasan Shopping Mall is another nice place to go around in BSB. I might go back early next year to visits relative.

Yayasan is like a graveyard now.

There is a New Mall in Gadong with Cinemas and food hall. It seems to be the place where most people hang out now.

Kiualap has expanded and also proves to be popular with the locals.

The trouble is all the traffic around these places.