On April 26, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Mark Vaile MP, announced the successful conclusion of talks between Australia and Brunei Darussalam, revising bilateral air services arrangements.

"The Australian Government has negotiated an increase in Australian carriers' capacity to Brunei by six services per week to 26 services in total per week from November 2008, which will increase again to 27 services per week from November 2009," Mr Vaile said.

"These new arrangements provide more opportunities for Australian carriers to not only operate to Brunei, but beyond into other international markets. Airlines from both countries continue to have unlimited access to Australia's regional international airports, such as Adelaide and Cairns, under the Government's Regional Access Package. Royal Brunei Airlines will now be able to operate services beyond Adelaide to New Zealand, complementing their existing rights to operate to New Zealand from Brisbane and Darwin."

"Royal Brunei Airlines' services into the Australian market will also increase. Under these new arrangements, Royal Brunei Airlines can expand capacity up to six flights per week to Brisbane and Perth, increasing to seven in 2008. Three services per week are immediately available for direct services to and from Melbourne," Mr Vaile said.

"Furthermore, from November 2008 Royal Brunei Airlines will be able to operate five services per week to and from Sydney, with this service increasing to six per week from November 2009. Ultimately by 2009, Royal Brunei Airlines will be able to operate 23 services per week to and from Australia's main gateways," Mr Vaile said.

A key element of the Australian Government's international air services policy is to recognise and encourage foreign carriers to commit to a long-term presence in Australia.

"Royal Brunei Airlines has operated in Australia for almost twenty five years, offering continued support for services to Darwin. This outcome recognises the commitment the airline has made to the Australian market," Mr Vaile concluded.

The promising discussions with Brunei follow the Australian Government's success in negotiating mutually beneficial arrangements with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in March 2007.