In the wake of Brunei’s introduction of harsh new anti LGBTQI and adultery laws earlier this week, STA Travel has today announced that it will no longer be working with Royal Brunei Airlines, and has taken the decision throughout its global operations to stop selling Royal Brunei Airline flights.
Says Australian Country Manager Monika Rieker, “At STA Travel, we are really proud of our open and diverse culture, and we fully expect all our partners to demonstrate and uphold these same values. We categorically don’t support the laws that have recently been introduced in Brunei (including on Brunei-registered aircrafts and vessels) which we believe are in direct contravention of basic human rights.”
She adds, “We can’t do much to change laws, but we can add our voice to a campaign that we believe in. Gender and sexuality diversity are a natural part of life, so of course we think sentencing people to death for their sexuality is abhorrent, which is why we’ve backed the Brunei boycott.”
STA Travel is also offering full refunds to customers who have bought Royal Brunei tickets through it, and no longer want to fly with the airline. Affected customers are invited to contact the company’s Customer Service team who will refund airfares and assist customers to make alternative travel arrangements.
Says Monika, “We are really pleased that STA Travel has taken this stance and is joining forces with the growing choir of voices calling on Brunei to reverse this change in the law. We stand in solidarity of LGBTQI people everywhere.”
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