Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE
THE SULTAN OF BRUNEI has ordered the first ultra-long-range Airbus A340-8000 to add to his growing VIP fleet of personal jet-powered airliners.
It is understood that the aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 1997 and that it will be the first long-haul -8000 derivative of the A340 to leave the assembly line in Toulouse. The aircraft was selected in preference to the Boeing 777.
The A340 will be configured with a luxury interior. It will be fitted with auxiliary fuel tanks and have a range of more than 14,800km (8,000nm), enabling the Sultan to fly non-stop from Brunei to the USA or Europe. The A340-8000 will almost certainly be based at Bandar Seri Begawan Airport.
Lufthansa aircrew, are contracted to fly the Sultan's fleet of aircraft, which includes two shorter-range A340-200s. Other aircraft in service with the Brunei royal family are a Boeing 747-400 and 767, an Airbus A310 and A320 and a large number of Gulfstream GIVs.
In the meantime, flag carrier Royal Brunei Airlines has taken delivery of the first of two new Boeing 767-300ERs. The aircraft were originally ordered by Air France, but then cancelled as part of Government cutbacks in 1995.
The two General Electric CF6-80-powered aircraft increase Royal Brunei's fleet to nine 767-300s, including one aircraft leased to Vietnam Airlines. The second new 767 is due for delivery in April.
The airline's fleet of Boeing 757s has been reduced to two, following the recent sale of one aircraft to the Kazakhstan Government, now being refitted in the USA with a new VIP interior for use by the Kazakhstan president.
Source: Flight International
