The Minister of Communication, Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abdullah in a group photo with the captains and longest serving RB staff with the rebranded aircraft. – COURTESY OF RANO ISKANDAR
National carrier unveils new livery and logo at a star-studded event; countdown begins for the entry of Dream liners
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Royal Brunei Airlines (RB) has taken a redefining step to turnaround its strategies by revealing its new livery and logo last night at an auspicious launching ceremony held at Hangar 1, Brunei International Airport, reports Borneo Bulletin.
The new livery and logo was revealed on an Airbus A320, which was painted by RB’s own in-house engineering team.
Some 700 people turned out for the historic event among them was the Minister of Communications, Pehin Orang Kaya Hamzah Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdullah bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Haji Bakar as the guest of honour, as well as RB’s Chairman and Board of Directors, staff and other invited guests.
The Airbus A320 was towed into Hangar 1, as hundreds of guest pulled out their cameras and hand phones to capture in what could be the most strategic decision made by the national carrier.
As soon as the aircraft came to a halt, some of the country’s national icons climbed down the flight of stairs. Among the first to come out was Brunei’s pioneer pilot, Captain Khalidkhan Hj Asmakhan.
Also included in the list were two of Brunei’s Olympians, Maziah Mahusin, Brunei’s first female Olympian who represented the Sultanate at the London Summer Olympics in the 400m run, Ak Hafiy Tajuddin Pg Rositi who represented Brunei at the London Summer Olympics in the 400m run, the Under-2I football team who were the champions of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy in March 2012, and the Kilimanjaro all-female team who raised the Brunei Flag at the highest peak of Mount Kilimanjaro in 2001.
Prior to the launch, Royal Brunei Airlines released teasers of its redefinition of travel in the local media, both print and online, and the “Smile Squad’ who triggered public curiosity over the past two weeks. The Smile Squad was spotted in different parts of the country, spreading genuine smiles and cheer to the public.
Mr Dermot Manmon, Deputy Chairman of RB, said, “Over the next year, we will be redefining the Royal Brunei Airlines flying experience, starting with our classic styled new livery and logo. This redefinition is not merely an ad campaign, but rather a long term commitment to our passengers to create a family-like, peaceful and tranquil atmosphere with high class customer service.”
The new livery and logo is the first step on RB’s rebranding journey. Over the next year, the national carrier will be rolling out a new website experience (including new social media experience), new uniforms and new lounge and ticket office environments.
The completion of the rebranding process will be timed to coincide with the entry into service of the 787 Boeing Dreamliners on September 1, 2013, making RB the first airline in Southeast Asia to take delivery of this ultra modern aircraft, he added.