Royal Brunei Airlines signed contracts with AFI KLM E&M and Messier-Bugatti-Dowty during the Paris air show to support the entry of its Boeing 787 aircraft into service later this year.

The Borneo-based carrier signed a long-term engineering and maintenance contract with AFI KLM E&M that includes a wide range of engineering services including fleet technical support, component spares and repair services for the five 787s Royal Brunei has on offer.

"Royal Brunei is the launch customer for 787 in Southeast Asia. Over time, with the help of AFI KLM E&M, we are targeting to create an engineering centre of excellence for this aircraft type right here in Brunei," says Dermot Mannion, deputy chairman of Royal Brunei.

The carrier also inked a deal with Messier-Bugatti-Dowty to provide the wheels and electric brakes for its 787s.

Royal Brunei's first 787 is due to enter service in September.

Check out the latest news and views from this year's Paris air show, including:

Finally, our new-look iFDN editions will contain exclusive footage from Paris 2013. Find out more

Source: Flight Daily News