Virgin Australia has revoked its staff arrangement with Brunei’s national airline as the destination moves forward with strict new rules against LGBTQ visitors & locals.
As part of the arrangement, Virgin Australia staff were able to book discounted tickets on Royal Brunei Airlines for leisure travel.
The Australian carrier has pulled the plug on the staff agreement, The Sydney Morning Herald reported, however, there are no changes planned for the airline’s interline partnership with Royal Brunei, which allows Royal Brunei customers to book some tickets on Virgin Australia flights within Australia.
In an email to staff, Virgin Australia said the decision to end part of its relationship with the carrier is in line with “hard penalties being introduced for activity that is legal and acceptable in Australia”.
The tiny Asian nation’s strict laws targeting the LGBTQ community came into effect on 3 April and has received backlash from the public for its “barbaric” punishment, which includes flogging and stoning to death for anyone caught engaging in same-sex sexual activity.
Image: bvi4092/Flickr
Australia’s Smartraveller has warned that punishment doesn’t just apply to locals but all Muslims, non-Muslims and foreigners, even those flying on Brunei-registered aircraft.
Karryon has attempted to contact Royal Brunei Airlines for comment.