Press Release on Royal Brunei Airlines Receives Womani Championship Award for Women's Empowerment 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, 27 August 2026 — Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) has been recognised with the WOMANi Championship Award for Women’s Empowerment 2026, celebrating the airline’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for women to grow,
contribute and lead across the organisation.
The award was presented at the WOMANi Awards 2026 at Hilton Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, following the WOMANi Symposium 2026, themed “Empowering Women at Work and Advancing Women in Leadership.” Over 250 people have attended and more than 20 awards were presented to respective global winners at the 7th annual awards ceremony.
WOMANi is a global women’s empowerment initiative by Cambridge IFA (Cambridge International Financial Advisory), a UK-based financial services intelligence organisation with longstanding expertise in Islamic finance. WOMANi connects, inspires and champions women and institutions shaping Islamic business and finance, while recognising organisations that create opportunities and environments in which women can thrive and progress into leadership.
For RB, the recognition reflects a journey built over many years. Women play an integral role throughout the airline – across flight operations, cabin crew, engineering, ground services, commercial and corporate functions, as well as in leadership and decision-making roles.
Colonel Norsuriati Haji Sharbini, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Royal Brunei Airlines said: “Receiving the WOMANi Championship Award for Women’s Empowerment 2026 is a tremendous honour for Royal Brunei Airlines and, most importantly, a recognition of the women of RB who contribute every day to our airline and our country.
At RB, empowering women is not a standalone initiative. It is part of our commitment, rooted in ikhlas, to developing our people and giving them meaningful opportunities to grow, take on greater responsibility, and lead with confidence.
As Brunei Darussalam’s national carrier, we are proud to play our part in developing a skilled, inclusive and future-ready workforce in support of Wawasan Brunei 2035. We receive this award with gratitude, and with an even greater responsibility to continue opening pathways for the next generation.”

RB’s history includes significant milestones for women in aviation, including its historic all-female flight deck crew to Jeddah in 2016. Today, women continue to contribute and lead across RB’s operational, technical, commercial and professional areas, demonstrating the breadth of career and leadership opportunities available within aviation.
The recognition is particularly meaningful for RB as an organisation shaped by the values and Islamic identity of Brunei Darussalam. It reflects the airline’s belief that providing women with opportunities to develop their capabilities, pursue professional growth and contribute at the highest levels strengthens organisations, communities and society.
Beyond the workplace, RB also continues to support initiatives promoting inclusion, accessibility, education, and greater opportunities within the community.
The WOMANi Championship Award for Women’s Empowerment 2026 therefore recognises both RB’s progress and its continuing commitment to strengthening pathways for women to participate, progress and lead.
As Brunei Darussalam’s national carrier, RB remains committed to nurturing talent and contributing to the development of a highly skilled, inclusive and future-ready workforce in support of Wawasan Brunei 2035.