Vision
A safe, reliable and commercially viable world-class boutique airline which aims to offer personalised services to its customers based on its rich cultural heritage.
Business Description
Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) is the National Airline of Brunei Darussalam, set-up to serve the needs of the travelling public and provide vital connectivity with the key cities across the globe. It primarily caters for passenger markets and carries freight in the belly space of its aircraft. It also has developed various ancillary revenue streams such as charters, travel insurance, holidays and ground handling at Brunei International Airport.
It has 1,641 staff in sixteen cities spread across the world from London to Melbourne with majority of staff based out of its main operating base that is Brunei. It currently operates a fleet of ten aircraft comprising, four B787-8 Dreamliners together with six A320 units. RB also has one further B787-8 Dreamliner on order and has a firm contract with Airbus for up to ten A320neo aircraft. A total of eight new aircraft will be delivered to RB between April and October next year which will result in a complete fleet renewal and one of the youngest aircraft fleet in Asia/Pacific .This will assist in maintaining the excellent on time performance of over ninety percent and high quality cabin products for our guests.
In 2013, RB was the launch airline in Southeast Asia for Boeing 787 Dreamliner and has the distinction of operating the youngest long haul fleet in the world. RB is also the first airline in the world to offer an exclusive Dreamliner service all the way from Melbourne to London via Brunei and Dubai, and return.
In 2014, RB received a distinction in the 2014 REBRAND 100® Global Awards which honors the most successful brand transformations worldwide. On November 9 2015, RB was declared winner of the Travel Media Innovative Campaign and Content of the Year Award at the inaugural and very prestigious International Travel Media Awards in United Kingdom. RB was announced as the Top 10 Most Loved Airlines in 2016 and Top 100 Airlines 2016 and 2017 by Skytrax.
Background
Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) has been operating as the National Carrier for Brunei Darussalam since its establishment on 18th November 1974.
Throughout the years, RB has been known for its distinctive service that plays on timeless values and authentic Bruneian hospitality. From the first flight on a Boeing 737-200 in 14 May, 1975 to the futuristic Boeing 787 Dreamliner departure to London in December 2013, RB has maintained a strong foothold in the market – despite aggressive competition – built solely on the foundations of dedication, service and hospitality.
A distinctive boutique offering, strategically positions RB as an airline that can stand out from its larger full-service and low-cost competitors. At the same time, the airline has become stronger and more competitive, giving its guests not just a unique product, but comprehensive services of the highest quality.
Products/Services
Royal Skies, RB’s frequent flyer programme prides itself on its simple and straightforward method of generous miles accrual. Royal Skies members can gain the opportunity to enjoy a host of benefits and privileges including seat upgrades, access to the SkyLounge and free flights as well as special promotions with Royal Skies partners.
Royal Brunei Holidays, is a 24/7 online dynamic planning and bundling of holiday products. With just a few clicks, RB’s online guests will be able to plan and buy their entire holiday products from flights, accommodation, tours and transport in Brunei and RB destinations all on one convenient place with instant confirmation. The user-friendly nature of the website on all devices allows guests the ability to manage their bookings from the comfort of their own home, at any time of the day, 365 days a year.
Markets
RB serves a number of regional and international destinations in Australia, Southeast Asia, China, South Korea, Middle East and United Kingdom.
Industry
Airline/Aviation
Location
As the National Carrier for Brunei Darussalam, RB operates from Brunei International Airport in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Competitive Advantages
RB prides itself on customer service and exceeding guest expectations. This is based on the warm hospitality of our people, rich Brunei heritage and doing simple things well. This combined with new fleet, best in class on time departures/arrivals and an array of products and services both in air and on the ground makes RB special.
The use of social platforms and promotion of Brunei as a unique tourism destination has a good potential to deliver RB more customers and revenues.
Financial Projection
RB’s capacity is growing around five percent per annum over the next few years and revenues are projected to grow above this rate. We are deploying more cost effective aircraft such as A320 NEO which has fifteen percent lower fuel burn, lower aircraft acquisition and maintenance costs. These combined will make RB returns on investment even better.
Company Goals & Objectives
RB is growing its fleet by a net of four aircraft next year and upto five new destinations. The capacity growth is around twenty percent versus FY 2015-16 base year. We have ability to grow further with option aircraft we have with Airbus and ability to lease aircraft at short notice.
Management
RB is a private company wholly owned by Government of Brunei via its investment arm – Darussalam Holdings. It is overseen by the Board of Directors and managed by Senior Executives who form the Executive Committee. These executives are both local and from around the world with 130 years of airline experience in various fields like operations, network planning, finance, sales & marketing, corporate risk and people management in full service, hybrid and low cost sectors.
Employees
We have 1,641 staff working with RB worldwide.
Highlights
Date |
|
14 May 1975 | The maiden Royal Brunei Airlines flight to Singapore left Bandar Seri Begawan on a Boeing 737-200QC. |
June 1990 | RB took delivery of the first of three B767-200ER aircraft |
21 November 1990 | RB’s inaugural flight to London Gatwick |
October 2012 | RB’s Rebranding Journey began with its first phase: reveal of new logo and aircraft livery. |
06 November 2012 | RB becomes the first National flag carrier in Southeast Asia to appoint a female airline captain; Captain Sharifah Czarena Suriany Syed Hashim. |
July 2013 | RB launches iPad mini business class service – the first airline in the world to introduce iPad mini as inflight entertainment enhancement. The service is available for Business Class passengers flying on RB’s Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai and Singapore routes. |
12 October 2013 | Launching of a Betterfly; RB’s B787 Dreamliner. The first airline in Southeast Asia to operate the B787 Dreamliner |
01 December 2013 | First Dreamliner flight to Long Haul flight to Dubai and London |
02 December 2013 | First RB flight operated by an all-female crew at the flight deck; Captain Sharifah Czarena Suriany Syed Hashim (First RB Female Captain) and SFO Dk Haryati Pg Hj Abd Rais (Brunei’s first female pilot). This made headlines across the worldand millions of hits on social media |
08 August 2014 | Bruneian born international star; Wu Chun, named as RB’s first International Brand Ambassador |
26 November 2017 | RB launches schedule services to Seoul, South Korea |
18 December 2017 | RB resumes schedule services to Beijing. |
Awards and Nominations
Year | Awarded by | Award | Result |
1998 - 2000 | World Travel Awards | World’s Leading Airline – First Class | Won |
2005 - 2010 | World Travel Awards | Asia’s Leading Airline | Nominated |
2005 | World Travel Awards | World’s Leading Flat Bed Seat | Nominated |
Clever Reisen!(German travel magazine) | Best Economy Class of Asia | Won | |
2007 | World Travel Awards | Asia’s Leading Airline Website | Nominated |
2011 | Sabah Tourism Awards | Best Foreign Airline | Won |
2012 | Business Destinations Travel Awards | Best Economy Airline, Asia | Won |
2013 | The European Asia Awards | Best Airline Provider in Asia 2013 | Won |
Travel Agents Choice Awards | Best Airline to Australasia | Nominated Finalist | |
Metro Time, Shanghai | Readers’ Airline of choice (760 Million votes) | Won | |
2014 | Rebrand 100® Global Awards | Rebranding | Distinction |
2015 | Travel Media Awards | Travel Media Innovative Campaign and Content of the year | Won |
2016 | Skytrax | Top 100 Airlines | Position: 95 |
Skytrax | Top 10 Most Loved Airlines | Position: 10 | |
2017 | Luxury Travel Guide Awards | Airline of the year | Won |
Skytrax | Top 100 Airlines | Position: 92 |
Other Notes
RB is embarking on its new growth phase which has the potential for direct flights from Tokyo to Brunei. With unique tourism products in Brunei including eco-tourism, attractions such as one of the largest world village, one of the very few 7 star resorts in the world, unspoilt dive sites of world war II shipwrecks, designer golf courses and friendly Bruneians, business partners in tourism have something special to collaborate with RB and local partners and offer to Japanese people.