Royal Brunei Airlines In Chaos
Join Date: May 2008
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A good few years in the company now. Low profile kinda guy. I would have stayed longer term. Erroded salaries and benefits etc.. 777 that I will never fly (not that important). Virtually no information re the 'future.' I still planned to stay.
Had a drink with someone last month who assurred me that my job was NOT safe. Call me slow, but guys I now smell coffee. I had two interviews recently and will leave.
Too risky, can't live like this.
a red
Had a drink with someone last month who assurred me that my job was NOT safe. Call me slow, but guys I now smell coffee. I had two interviews recently and will leave.
Too risky, can't live like this.
a red
Join Date: May 2004
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No offence taken,smokehaze. It must be a very worrying time at the moment for all expats, and some junior locals in RBA. Even those who purport never to condescend to look at Pprune must be rattled, although the writing was on the wall when RBA first got it’s delusions of grandeur with the arrival of the 757s. It amazes me that it has taken so long, near 20 years for the penny to drop in Brunei.
They are quite capable of terminating people at 3 months notice for any reason they see fit, as 3 F/Os and one junior Captain found out a few years ago, and one senior Captain more recently. The quoted excuses just didn’t tie up.
At least there are jobs out there to go to, if required, when the dust settles. Good luck.
They are quite capable of terminating people at 3 months notice for any reason they see fit, as 3 F/Os and one junior Captain found out a few years ago, and one senior Captain more recently. The quoted excuses just didn’t tie up.
At least there are jobs out there to go to, if required, when the dust settles. Good luck.
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Terminating Pilots
The grape vine says that RBA have been told by their lawyer to settle out of Court with the recently terminated senior Captain.
Not sure where it all stands right now, but from what a few of his mates say he sure won't give up till they cough up.
Admire his guts for sticking with it, esp as its being heard in Brunei.
Not sure where it all stands right now, but from what a few of his mates say he sure won't give up till they cough up.
Admire his guts for sticking with it, esp as its being heard in Brunei.
Join Date: May 2008
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Is it just me or have most of the flyingtoothpick's posts been deleted from the thread?
Also, what is the most definitive news on RBA's fleet? Are the 767s going? 777s coming? 787s?
Also, what is the most definitive news on RBA's fleet? Are the 767s going? 777s coming? 787s?
Join Date: May 2008
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The lease on the airbus is nearly finished, so where is the money going to come from to renew leases.
The B777 is stored, without registration, there is no money to complete checks, the bank won't pay - RBA won't pay so stalemate
As for the rumour about the B787, keep dreaming, I've heard so many rumours about this aircraft and that aircraft, and never once has any of them come true. When it parks at BSB, on the apron in RBA colours, has been flown by RBA crews, then I will believe it.
Air Asia, Cebu and a few other smaller cost effective airlines, whose board of directors are willing to invest will slowly strangle RBA. Its a shame, it was such a wonderful airline to fly for, I am just very very very glad I took a leap of faith and changed my heading when I had the chance.... good luck to those of you left holding the fort
The B777 is stored, without registration, there is no money to complete checks, the bank won't pay - RBA won't pay so stalemate
As for the rumour about the B787, keep dreaming, I've heard so many rumours about this aircraft and that aircraft, and never once has any of them come true. When it parks at BSB, on the apron in RBA colours, has been flown by RBA crews, then I will believe it.
Air Asia, Cebu and a few other smaller cost effective airlines, whose board of directors are willing to invest will slowly strangle RBA. Its a shame, it was such a wonderful airline to fly for, I am just very very very glad I took a leap of faith and changed my heading when I had the chance.... good luck to those of you left holding the fort
Join Date: Sep 2007
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when the airbus were delivered, i heard they were leased for seven years
don't know how long they have been around, but i imagine you are right, they need renewing - maybe not right now, but in the next couple of years
767: ?
777: not even a glimmer of hope
787: didn't they already sign a contract with the leasing co and RR?
RBA will be here this time next year, probably even in 10 years
they never seem to disappear, and i doubt that will change, at least until brunei has no money left
don't know how long they have been around, but i imagine you are right, they need renewing - maybe not right now, but in the next couple of years
767: ?
777: not even a glimmer of hope
787: didn't they already sign a contract with the leasing co and RR?
RBA will be here this time next year, probably even in 10 years
they never seem to disappear, and i doubt that will change, at least until brunei has no money left
Cunning Artificer
Join Date: Jun 2001
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...at least until brunei has no money left.
The most likely scenario for survival is as a small regional carrier, with two or three of the smaller narrow bodies - just like the last time the airline made a profit back in the early eighties. The difference is, there were no LCCs around at that time...
Join Date: Oct 2001
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Interesting to read the problems of RBA over the past two years or three years. Seems to me that a good few of the RBA managers jumped ship and moved to Air Astana, where recently the previous good profits have turned to losses and belt-tightening measures are being hastily enforced. In Kazakhstan also the attitudes of the government officials are similar to those of Brunei (too many expat pilots for instance) so it seems there is a great deal of commonality here. The question I have is did the old management take the problems from here to Air Astana or did they get out while they could? Seems odd that the problems have followed them to Air Astana, where recently the President wrote a very downbeat email to all staff about cost cutting and financial losses (also posted on company intranet). If RBA is to be downsized in order to survive maybe Air Astana is heading the same way. It just seems that (with a two year time lag) the story is going the same way!
Cunning Artificer
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It is a goner Bus. With the never ending search for cost reductions, the tax-free "Expat" take-home - including the annual gratuity payment - is just GBP37,700 these days for management level engineers. Less than the after-tax take-home of a UK based LAE. Locals earn much less than that of course, so the salary element of the airline's costs are way below those of most low cost carriers. Fuel prices are a big crippler; the Brunei Shell monopoly on aviation (and other) fuel supplies allows them to get away with charging around 11% over the international market rate for fuel, and RBA is stuck with picking up around 40% of its fuel at Brunei International. So, the management have been offsetting high fuel costs by cutting staff costs. In effect, the company's cost cutting measures result in the staff subsidising Brunei Shell Petroleum Company... 
Meanwhile, an ineffective management, bedevilled by internal bickering and conflict, remain unable to get bums on seats with fares at a profitable level.
Meanwhile, an ineffective management, bedevilled by internal bickering and conflict, remain unable to get bums on seats with fares at a profitable level.
Join Date: Jun 2005
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RBA Pulls Out of Sydney
http://www.theage.com.au/news/news/a...182967822.html
I hope this tag works.
Perhaps the mid-night schedule had something to do with it.
I hope this tag works.
Perhaps the mid-night schedule had something to do with it.
Join Date: Sep 2007
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bye bye syd
old news but nevertheless....
perhaps because they were only allowed a max of 3x flights a week
which means it would be almost impossible to compete with the likes of SQ, MH, QF etc
they have now gone daily akl, bne and per
perhaps because they were only allowed a max of 3x flights a week
which means it would be almost impossible to compete with the likes of SQ, MH, QF etc
they have now gone daily akl, bne and per
Join Date: May 2002
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"Interesting to read the problems of RBA over the past two years or three years. Seems to me that a good few of the RBA managers jumped ship and moved to Air Astana, where recently the previous good profits have turned to losses and belt-tightening measures are being hastily enforced. In Kazakhstan also the attitudes of the government officials are similar to those of Brunei (too many expat pilots for instance) so it seems there is a great deal of commonality here. The question I have is did the old management take the problems from here to Air Astana or did they get out while they could? Seems odd that the problems have followed them to Air Astana, where recently the President wrote a very downbeat email to all staff about cost cutting and financial losses (also posted on company intranet). If RBA is to be downsized in order to survive maybe Air Astana is heading the same way. It just seems that (with a two year time lag) the story is going the same way!" Quote Harrier 46, 16th May.
Take it from me Paul.
You do not know what the 'Ell (iott) you are talking about. I know that when I was with RBA it was impossible to get rid of incompetent t***ers. Not so at Air Astana as I am sure you are aware
Take it from me Paul.
You do not know what the 'Ell (iott) you are talking about. I know that when I was with RBA it was impossible to get rid of incompetent t***ers. Not so at Air Astana as I am sure you are aware
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Well said Raster Scanning, couldn't have put it better myself.
Harrier46 please keep out of subjects you know nothing about, you are way off the mark. You have no knowledge about the misfortunes of RBA and you certainly have no idea about the financial situation in Air Astana. As for keeping a control of costs, what sensible operator isn't doing that with oil at $130 a barrel?
Harrier46 please keep out of subjects you know nothing about, you are way off the mark. You have no knowledge about the misfortunes of RBA and you certainly have no idea about the financial situation in Air Astana. As for keeping a control of costs, what sensible operator isn't doing that with oil at $130 a barrel?
Join Date: Feb 2007
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bond: not 007
The company is up the creek with the 777 bond!
First bonded pilot to leave, made the company realise that their bond contract was an ill worded document, that had so many holes in it, that they could not progress with it!
Realising the predicament they did not pay the gratuity owing, or the last months pay!
By doing this they have admitted that the bond is worthless!
Where to from here?
Will they come clean and announce that the 777 is not coming, or will they continue with this involuntary detainment?
First bonded pilot to leave, made the company realise that their bond contract was an ill worded document, that had so many holes in it, that they could not progress with it!
Realising the predicament they did not pay the gratuity owing, or the last months pay!
By doing this they have admitted that the bond is worthless!
Where to from here?
Will they come clean and announce that the 777 is not coming, or will they continue with this involuntary detainment?
Cunning Artificer
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The Brunei Press have firm information that the B777s are cancelled, so is that accurate enough? In talking with a reporter a few minutes ago who called me for a bit of background, they certainly know pretty much everything about the sorry saga anyhow, so I'm afraid I couldn't help him.
The question is, will they print what they know or will they be gagged as usual?
The question is, will they print what they know or will they be gagged as usual?
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Brunei Press & 777
The death of the 777 deal is hardly news, and with so many fingers in the pie they would not get the green light to go into print.
Of more interest to the local population would be the recent report in The Times about the 3 Billion still owed by Prince Jefri, and his jump across the channel to avoid the long arm of the law, as a contempt of court ruling has been made.
Of more interest to the local population would be the recent report in The Times about the 3 Billion still owed by Prince Jefri, and his jump across the channel to avoid the long arm of the law, as a contempt of court ruling has been made.
Join Date: Mar 2008
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Ridiculous AKL schedule.
It never ceases to amaze me the supposed commercially viable route structure that RBA plays at. The latest AKL "heavy" crew flights but with negligible passengers is another example of a mindless lack of direction for an already bleeding airline. What is this CEO thinking? Perhaps he should sit it out for the day in the wonderful RBA terminal awaiting his departure for LHR after flying all night from AKL and come to understand why Kiwis are staying in bed. They can always catch a flight with a real airline the next day.
Perhaps he could also sit in the jumpseat over and back again and realise what a truly wonderful 2 sectors with min rest it is for the tech crew.No wonder he stays at the Empire!
Perhaps he could also sit in the jumpseat over and back again and realise what a truly wonderful 2 sectors with min rest it is for the tech crew.No wonder he stays at the Empire!