Singapore, Wednesday, 22 February 2006 – The delegation of Brunei Darussalam led by the Minister of Communications, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong arrived back yesterday after attending a two (2) day IATA / ASIAN AEROSPACE Aviation Summit 2006 which took place from Monday, 20 February 2006 to Tuesday, 21 February 2006 at the Swissotel The Stamford, Singapore.

The Summit brought together key stakeholders of the aviation industry including government ministries / authorities related to aviation industry, airports and airlines operators, travel agents, consulting companies and also other supporting/complementing private sectors in the aviation industry. From the operators perspective, Brunei Darussalam was represented by officials from the Royal Brunei Airline led by the Chief Executive Officer, Pengiran Hj Mohd Yusof bin Pg Hj Jeludin.

The three topics discussed during the Summit namely ‘Winning Strategies’, ‘Let’s Help The Passenger’ and ‘Accommodating New Markets’ were very relevant to current issues and is equally important in shaping future aviation industry. Among the prominent speakers at the Summit includes the Chief Economist of International Air Transport Aviation (IATA), Mr Brian Pearce, the Minister of Civil Aviation of India, HE Mr Praful Patel, the CEO Singapore Airlines, Mr Chew Choon Seng and the President & CEO, Abacus International, Mr Donald Birch.

Generally, the discussions pointed out that the future aviation industry will show sign of impressive growth particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Here, India and China indubitably will become the main drivers for growth which according to forecast, the annual growth would be 8% and 10% respectively over the next few years. The Asian region is also expected to promise a favourable growth as it currently records 7% economic growth, double the world average of 3.5%. Based on these economics landscape, in terms of passengers and cargo this equate to annual growth of 6.5% and 8.5% respectively until the year 2009.

However, inspite of the promising growth potential, key players in the aviation industry were also reminded of the importance of ensuring and continuously improving operational efficiency since costs related factors such as the increasing fuel cost could lead to non profitability. The on going global phenomenon of avian flu coupled with the fast emergence and growing popularity of low cost carriers are also two important factors which could also change the prospect of legacy carriers. However for the later, the issue of long term business sustainability was also debated.

During the next day, a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony which held to officiate the launching of the Asian Aerospace Exhibition which took place at Changi Exhibition Centre which was later followed by a VIP tour to an exhibition and a farewell dinner in the evening.