Published on : Thursday, April 4, 2019
After it introduced ancient Islamic criminal laws on Wednesday, Brunei is facing swift international counterattack, which also inflicts death sentences for adulterers and amputation of hands and feet for thieves.
From today onward, the laws remain applicable for Muslims, non-Muslims and foreigners. This is applicable even for those who are transiting on aircraft and vessels registered in Brunei.
In light of the cruel laws, Virgin Australia emailed its employees that it was ending a staff leisure travel arrangement with Royal Brunei Airlines.
“Given the harsh (including death) penalties being introduced for activity that is legal and acceptable in Australia, the myID (staff travel) agreement between Virgin Australia and Royal Brunei has now been terminated effective immediately,” the company said in the email.
A Virgin Australia spokeswoman informed news.com.au the staff leisure travel agreement “was for the sole purpose of employee leisure travel benefits only”.
“Virgin Australia does not sell seats on Royal Brunei,” a statement from the airline said.
“Under a separate interline ticketing agreement, Royal Brunei sells seats available on Virgin Australia aircraft for select routes within Australia. There is no change to this particular agreement.”
The Australian informed Qantas, which has interline agreements and staff travel arrangements with Royal Brunei, has not made any alterations whatsoever in response to the new criminal laws imposed by Brunei.
Tags: Virgin Australia