International Forest of Friendship honours Captain Sharifah Czarena

Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) is pleased to announce that, Captain Sharifah Czarena Suriany Syed Hashim, will be honored as a 2018 inductee into the International Forest of Friendship for her being the first female captain on any flag carrier in Southeast Asia

Captain Czarena will be inducted during an annual ceremony to be held in Atchison, Kansas, USA in September alongside women and men who have given dedicated service, leadership, friendship, and support to help others achieve aviation goals; those who have made significant contributions to the development of aviation and those who have established aviation records.

In November 2012 Captain Czarena became not only the first female captain in RB, but also in any flag carrier airline in Southeast Asia. In a media interview, Captain Czarena said: “Being a pilot, people normally see it as being a male dominant occupation. As a woman, a Bruneian woman, it is such a great achievement.” “It’s really showing the younger generation of the girls especially that whatever they dream of, they can achieve it,” she added.

Mr Karam Chand, CEO of Royal Brunei Airlines said “Captain Czarena is an asset to not just RB, but also a great inspiration to all Bruneians to reach their dreams. We are extremely proud of her achievements and contributions to RB and the Nation, and we are immensely proud and honoured to have her receive the honorary award as a 2018 inductee of the International Forest of Friendship.”

“The International Forest of Friendship will also recognize Royal Brunei Airlines for having the first female captain in any flag carrier in Southeast Asia and for the all-female aircrew that Captain Czarena led to Jeddah on Brunei Darussalam’s national day in 2017,” said the International Forest of Friendship in a statement.