Royal Brunei Airlines converts A320neo into a preighter

Royal Brunei Airlines (BI, Bandar Seri Begawan) has announced it has converted one of its seven A320-200Ns into a makeshift freighter for use on regional routes.

V8-RBE (msn 8399) was taken out of passenger service in November 2020 and has remained in storage at Bandar Seri Begawan airport since then. Following its reconfiguration, it was reactivated as a makeshift freighter on June 17, 2021, with the first flight operated to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi. Since then, it was also been deployed to Taipei Taoyuan, Kuala Lumpur Int’l, and Singapore Changi, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows.

Royal Brunei Airlines said the aircraft would operate up to 5x weekly on regional routes.

“Our cargo operation has performed strongly over the last 12 months and this A320neo conversion allows us to further build on our capability, network and the strategic location of Brunei in the region to maximise the opportunity,” Chief Executive Khalidkhan Hj Asmakhan said.

Brunei’s sole commercial airline is keeping its remaining six A320-200Ns active on passenger services, although with very low utilisation and with each of the aircraft operating a flight every few days. The carrier’s fleet also comprises two stored A320-200s and five active B787-8s.