RBA Leases Six 777s From SIA

[zeqa 1]

 

Bandar Seri Begawan - Royal Brunei Airlines yesterday released details about its fleet renewal programme, announcing the agreement to lease six Boeing 777-200ER aircraft from Singapore Airlines.

 

The national carrier will be replacing its current Boeing 767-300ER aircraft with the 777-200ER aircraft.

 

The first aircraft is set to arrive on May 26, while the next five will arrive between June and September this year.

 

Each 777-200ER aircraft will seat 30 business class and 255 economy class passengers. Both cabins will be equipped with RBA's skyshow in-flight entertainment system with personal screens for each passenger. The entertainment options will include video and audio on demand and a selection of video games.

 

RBA's first 777-200ER will be flying to London via Dubai during the third week of June this year.

 

Details about the lease agreement were revealed during a signing ceremony yesterday at Royal Brunei Recreational Club. RBA was represented by its CEO Robert Yang, while Singapore Airlines by its CEO Chew Choon Seng.

 

RBA Chairman, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, members of RBA's board of directors and senior management and a delegation from Singapore Airlines witnessed the ceremony.

 

Introducing the Boeing 777-200ER into RBA's fleet is part of the airline's plan to renew its fleet and expand its operations. In addition to a higher passenger and cargo capacity than the 767s, the much-improved 777s will enhance RBA's ability to grow its revenue base.

 

Commenting on the agreement, Mr Yang said, "The support that RBA has received from Singapore Airlines brought this partnership beyond a pure lease. Under the lease terms, selected support programmes provided by original equipment manufacturers to SIA are also provided to RBA to cover the aircraft engines, auxiliaiy power unit and other selected components."

 

He added, over the next three years, RBA would be renewing its fleet, preparing it with better products offering for its customers and positioning itself for a growing network.

 

Searching for six planes with the same seat configuration, in excellent condition and competitive lease rate was a challenge. Bringing in six wide-bodied aircrafts of B777-200 ER and retiring the B767s has materialised, thanks to a strong, helpful and very understanding aviation partner.

 

In just a few months' time, RBA needs to replace its entire wide-bodied aircraft fleet while at the same time stay in business. Pilots and cabin crews need training while the in-flight products need to be enhanced and the engineering side has a lot of work to do.

 

By this September, all the six 777-200ERs will be part of the RBA fleet and by early November this year, the current B767 aircrafts will be returned to its rightful owner. No doubt, the negotiations were tough and engaging. But throughout the series of meetings, there were no backlogs. SIA was very professional in its approach and both sides found a common ground to workout in quick time.

 

Meanwhile, the CEO of Singapore Airlines said SIA would deliver the first 777-200 ER on May 26, followed by two more units in June and one each in subsequent months. By the end of September, RBA will be operating six 777-200 ERs.

 

The 777s form the backbone of Singapore Airlines current fleet and accounts for two out of every three aircrafts they fly. Until recently, Singapore Airlines operated the biggest number of B777 in the world with 77 units in all.

 

The aircraft type is proved to be reliable and efficient, comfortable and popular among passengers with useful cargo capacity. "I am confident that it would be a very good fleet for RBA's network and that you will be pleased with its performance," he added.

 

However, even the best airplane requires proper maintenance and Singapore Airlines has well-established reputation in the airline industry in this regard. SIA's subsidiary company, SIA Engineering has set up joint ventures with original equipment manufacturers, he added.-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

[Mushrif A 3]

ANyone knows if it is actually a direct lease from SQ or a sub-lease from SQ?

[zeqa 1]

Hello,

 

Hear a pic from the local newspaper:

 

http://www.borneobulletin.com.bn/wed/may12h4.htm

 

 

Royal Brunei Airlines yesterday released details about its fleet renewal programme, announcing the agreement to lease six Boeing 777-200ER aircraft from Singapore Airlines.

The national carrier will be replacing its current Boeing 767-300ER aircraft with the 777-200ER aircraft.

 

The first aircraft is set to arrive on May 26, while the next five will arrive between June and September this year.

 

Each 777-200ER aircraft will seat 30 business class and 255 economy class passengers. Both cabins will be equipped with RBA's skyshow in-flight entertainment system with personal screens for each passenger. The entertainment options will include video and audio on demand and a selection of video games.

 

RBA's first 777-200ER will be flying to London via Dubai during the third week of June this year.

 

Details about the lease agreement were revealed during a signing ceremony yesterday at Royal Brunei Recreational Club. RBA was represented by its CEO Robert Yang, while Singapore Airlines by its CEO Chew Choon Seng.

 

RBA Chairman, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, members of RBA's board of directors and senior management and a delegation from Singapore Airlines witnessed the ceremony.

 

Introducing the Boeing 777-200ER into RBA's fleet is part of the airline's plan to renew its fleet and expand its operations. In addition to a higher passenger and cargo capacity than the 767s, the much-improved 777s will enhance RBA's ability to grow its revenue base.

 

Commenting on the agreement, Mr Yang said, "The support that RBA has received from Singapore Airlines brought this partnership beyond a pure lease. Under the lease terms, selected support programmes provided by original equipment manufacturers to SIA are also provided to RBA to cover the aircraft engines, auxiliary power unit and other selected components."

 

He added, over the next three years, RBA would be renewing its fleet, preparing it with better products offering for its customers and positioning itself for a growing network.

 

Searching for six planes with the same seat configuration, in excellent condition and competitive lease rate was a challenge. Bringing in six wide-bodied aircrafts of B777-200 ER and retiring the B767s has materialised, thanks to a strong, helpful and very understanding aviation partner.

 

In just a few months' time, RBA needs to replace its entire wide-bodied aircraft fleet while at the same time stay in business. Pilots and cabin crews need training while the in-flight products need to be enhanced and the engineering side has a lot of work to do.

 

By this September, all the six 777-200ERs will be part of the RBA fleet and by early November this year, the current B767 aircrafts will be returned to its rightful owner. No doubt, the negotiations were tough and engaging. But throughout the series of meetings, there were no backlogs. SIA was very professional in its approach and both sides found a common ground to workout in quick time.

 

Meanwhile, the CEO of Singapore Airlines said SIA would deliver the first 777-200 ER on May 26, followed by two more units in June and one each in subsequent months. By the end of September, RBA will be operating six 777-200 ERs.

 

The 777s form the backbone of Singapore Airlines current fleet and accounts for two out of every three aircrafts they fly. Until recently, Singapore Airlines operated the biggest number of B777 in the world with 77 units in all.

 

The aircraft type is proved to be reliable and efficient, comfortable and popular among passengers with useful cargo capacity. "I am confident that it would be a very good fleet for RBA's network and that you will be pleased with its performance," he added.

 

However, even the best airplane requires proper maintenance and Singapore Airlines has well-established reputation in the airline industry in this regard. SIA's subsidiary company, SIA Engineering has set up joint ventures with original equipment manufacturers, he added.

 

 

[Tamizi Hj Tamby 1]

Thanks for the update from Brunei,Zeqa.Borneo Bulletin? Sounds nearly similar with The Borneo Post (sorry for OT)

[zeqa 1]

Yes- Our English newspaper are Borneo Bulletin & Brunei times.

 

Looks like nobody sees the RBA 777 at the Singapore engineering hangar.

[zeqa 1]

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4806747/

 

some discussion on airliners.net

[zeqa 1]

http://www.brudirect.com/index.php/2010051921574/Local-News/siaec-seals-s42-mil-ion-deal-with-rba.html

 

 

Singapore - SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC) said on Wednesday that it has signed a $42 million (US$30 million) fleet management programme (FMP) contract with Royal Brunei Airlines to provide maintenance and fleet management services for the airline's fleet of six Boeing B777-200ER aircraft, which it is leasing from Singapore Airlines.

 

Under the FMP contract that will commence in May 2010, SIAEC will provide Royal Brunei Airlines with a wide range of FMP services, including fleet technical management, spares support, component repair and overhaul, and heavy maintenance services in Bandar Seri Begawan and Singapore. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

[Ja Singh 2]

http://www.brudirect.com/index.php/2010051921574/Local-News/siaec-seals-s42-mil-ion-deal-with-rba.html

 

Hi Zeqa.cant understand why a country as rich as brunei would want to buy extensively used aircraft froma another country when their own ruler got a brand new A340? Why not buy brand new a/c only six from boeing?Gold plate them if you want.

[zeqa 1]

RBA used to own all those B767 new but sold to the leasing co. & leases them back. RBA is not a money making business & making a huge lose every year.Also Robert Young(RBA CEO) is a ex CEO of Singapore airlines. Maybe he got a special personal deal in obtaining those aged SQ aircraft. Who knows..

[alberttky 0]

Robert Yang is not an ex CEO of Singapore Airlines.

[KC Sim 2]

9V-SVF and 9V-SVG have already been painted in the full Royal Brunei livery and 9V-SVG was taken on an air test yesterday (25 May). Sadly, it was seen making two landings on runway 20C in superb light and this poor photographer was salivating away at 20R. At the end, all I managed was this pathetic shot from a long way off, full len extension and extreme cropping.

 

 

KC Sim

[Mushrif A 3]

Hi Zeqa.cant understand why a country as rich as brunei would want to buy extensively used aircraft froma another country when their own ruler got a brand new A340? Why not buy brand new a/c only six from boeing?Gold plate them if you want.

 

 

Their ruler does not have a brand new A340, nor a brand new 762, nor a brand new 744...in fact the 744 was a second hand LH aircraft.

[zeqa 1]

KC Lim- Thanks for the photo.

[Johan Z 0]

Thanks, KC. Looking really good in Royal Brunei colours.

[Andi C 0]

Found a photo of 9V-SVF...

 

(Credit all due to the author)

[Samuel Chy 0]

i read Brunei paper on last 2 days, they reported that the RBA T7 will make her first landing by tomorrow...

[KC Sim 2]

Royal Brunei's first B777-212ER should have landed Banda Seri Begawan . . . it took off from Changi Airport about 50minutes ago. The aircraft was 9V-SVF and I assume it became V8-BLA (can anyone confirm this).

 

It is a pity the weather in SIN is so dismal this morning (previous mornings were great).

 

KC Sim

[zeqa 1]

I've seen some pics on Facebook- The 777 Landed @ 11.05

 

*not my pics* credit to Sharol Adanni on facebook

 

[Steve 0]

I overflew Brunei Int'l Airport at 8000ft just as V8-BLA was touching down beneath us. Looked great

[zeqa 1]

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/4826917/

 

^^Click to see some pics from fauzi..

[Tamizi Hj Tamby 1]

At last,1st B777-212ER for RBA.

[Ignatius 4]

Haha.. a good chance to see one operating to Kch during peaks

[Alif A. F. 0]

Meet RBA's First Boeing 777

 

I think the photo is really something...very symbolic...

[Peter Smith 1]

First 777 V8-BLA was delivered on the 1st

[Ja Singh 2]

Their ruler does not have a brand new A340, nor a brand new 762, nor a brand new 744...in fact the 744 was a second hand LH aircraft.

 

Sultan of brunei's personal A340 pictures.

 

http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/2890401/