Bandar Seri Begawan - The airline industry appears to have weathered the worst and is seeing signs of bouncing back from the turbulent economic crisis and spread of Influenza H1N1 this year.

Citing a September 15 report by the US Federal Reserve, Mr Robert Yang, the Chief Executive Officer of Royal Brunei Airlines and Chairman of Abacus Brunei, said that the economic crisis that had hit us late last year appears to be tapering off and there was hope of seeing some sign of recovery.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) in its latest press release also indicated that traffic volume had increased slightly, he said during the 19th Abacus Appreciation Night on Saturday.

"This is good news for us all," the CEO of RBA and Chairman of Abacus Brunei said. According to him, the encouraging public response to the 6th Abacus Holiday Travel Fair last week is a good example of how the airline industry is bouncing back. Within two days, the number of bookings made during the two-day fair was 45 per cent higher compared to last year's travel fair, Mr Yang said.

The fair was a success thanks to the support of RBA, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways International, Baiduri Bank, American Express, Brunei
Tourism Development Board, Tourism Malaysia, Cityneon Brunei, TelBru, Takaful IBB, Royal Brunei Catering and participating travel agents, he said.

Miss Irene Soon, the General Manager of Abacus Brunei, noted that 2009 was a special year for Abacus because it has been inducted into the TTG 'Travel Hall Of Fame' following a decade win of the 'Best Global Distribution System' award.

"The strong support that our travel partners have extended to us continuously through the years has made the journey rewarding and enriching," she said.

The highlight of Saturday night's event was the presentation of prizes to the top 10 travel agents for air bookings.

Pan Bright Travel Service of Kuala Belait, which was ranked number one, received the 'Top Travel Agent Performing Award 2007/2008 - Air Booking'.

Meanwhile, Freme Travel Services Sdn Bhd of Bandar Seri Begawan and Century Travel Centre Sdn Bhd of BSB came in second and third place.

Other winners were Anthony Tours & Travel Agency (fourth place), Freme Travel Services of Kuala Belait (fifth), Century Travel Centre of Manggis (sixth), Southern Cross Travel Agencies (seventh), Darussalam Holdings (eighth), JJ Tour Service of BSB (ninth) and Mas Sugara Travel Service (tenth). -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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