Aviation, travel and transport PR specialist 8020 Communications is to handle Royal Brunei Airlines’ UK and Ireland communications as the carrier bids for a larger slice of the long-haul market to Asia and Australia.

Award-winning Royal Brunei Airlines, south-east Asia’s launch customer for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, will in October begin daily non-stop services from London Heathrow to Brunei International Airport.

There, passengers can explore the natural and cultural tourism highlights of Brunei Darussalam and Borneo or connect via Royal Brunei’s world-class fleet to a wide range of popular destinations, including Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Melbourne. 

The non-stop Heathrow-Brunei service (effective October 28th) positions Royal Brunei attractively in the long-haul market from London to Asia and Australia, which the airline aims to capitalise upon in driving up passenger numbers.

Trudi Beggs, senior account director, 8020 Communications, said: “Royal Brunei Airlines is navigating a new and exciting path this year.

“We are thrilled to be tasked with creating awareness of the treasures of Brunei and Borneo, as well as of south-east Asia and Australasia.

“We will be working with Royal Brunei to reveal undiscovered destinations and experiences and position the airline as the first choice for leisure and business travellers to Asia.”

Royal Brunei currently operates a fleet of eleven aircraft comprising five Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft together with two Airbus A320neo aircraft and four Airbus A32ceo.

Royal Brunei will have five new A320neo aircraft joining the fleet in 2018, making its fleet one of the youngest in the world with an average fleet age of two years.

Adiel Mambara, country manager, UK & Ireland, Royal Brunei Airlines, added: “8020 Communications brings passion and creativity alongside deep sector aviation knowledge to our team.

“This year, there is much work to be done to increase our passenger numbers as well as visitor numbers to Brunei – 8020 will play a significant role in that campaign.”