Royal Brunei Airlines has agreed to order four Boeing 787-8s for delivery from 2009 and, as an interim solution, it is adding four second-hand Boeing 777s on lease, starting with two ex-United Airlines Boeing 777-200ERs.
"It is four Boeing 787-8s that we are ordering for delivery from late 2009," says Royal Brunei, adding that the aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.
Royal Brunei currently operates Airbus A320-family aircraft and Boeing 767-300ERs.
"Initially we are getting two 777-200ERs on lease, but whether we get another two 777s depends on the aircraft swap because we plan to phase out our existing 767s, so, as we let go of the 767s, we will get two more 777s," says the airline.
The first leased 777 is due to arrive in Brunei next month. The airline's original plan was to add its first 777 in May, but it experienced delays.
The ex-United aircraft will be leased from Aviation Finance Asia. "The 777s will be for our London and Australia routes and we intend to fly direct [non-stop] to London, but not immediately," says the airline.
According to Innovata, Royal Brunei currently operates Boeing 767-300ERs seven times a week from Bandar Seri Begawan to London Heathrow via Dubai.
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Source: Flight International
