RB Link explained

Airline:RB Link
Iata:BI
Icao:RBA
Callsign:BRUNEI
Founded:-
Commenced:July 2019
Ceased:2020 (merged back to Royal Brunei Airlines)
Hubs:Brunei International Airport
Fleet Size:2
Destinations:5
Parent:Royal Brunei Airlines
Headquarters:Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

RB Link was a regional airline brand owned by Royal Brunei Airlines under a joint partnership with Malindo Air.

History

RB Link began its first flight on 29 July 2019 to Kota Kinabalu. It started with two brand new ATR 72-600 aircraft, operated by Malindo Air, to begin services. Royal Brunei Airlines used this brand to operate regional flights around Borneo, particularly to cities in Malaysia and Indonesia. It used the same IATA code as Royal Brunei Airlines with its base also at Brunei International Airport. All of its aircraft, maintenance, insurance and staff was provided by Malindo Air however the service and amenities onboard were provided by Royal Brunei Airlines. The staff was also trained to Royal Brunei Airlines service standards.[1] [2]

In March 2020, the airline announced that suspended its operation due to the coronavirus pandemic, border restrictions and the declining travel demand and consequently RB Link has been re-integrated back into parent Royal Brunei Airlines.

Destinations

As of June 2020, RB Link operated services to the following destinations:[3]

CountryCityAirportNotesRef
Bandar Seri BegawanBrunei International Airport
MalaysiaBintuluBintulu Airport[4]
Kota KinabaluKota Kinabalu International Airport[5]
KuchingKuching International Airport
SandakanSandakan Airport
SibuSibu Airport
TawauTawau Airport[6]

Fleet

As of July 2019, the RB Link fleet consisted of the following aircraft:

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Royal Brunei Airlines introduced RB Link Flights in partnership with Malindo Air. July 10, 2019. Singapore. July 26, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190726141512/https://www.flyroyalbrunei.com/singapore/en/royal-brunei-airlines-introduced-rb-link-flights-in-partnership-with-malindo-air/. July 26, 2019. live.
  2. Web site: Regional Service (RB Link). Singapore. 2019-07-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20190717113741/https://www.flyroyalbrunei.com/singapore/en/experience/rb-link/. 2019-07-17. live.
  3. Web site: Intended destinations. flyroyalbrunei.com. 2019-08-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20190813073452/https://www.flyroyalbrunei.com/brunei/en/experience/rb-link/. 2019-08-13. live.
  4. Web site: Royal Brunei suspends Bintulu flights. The Borneo Post. 12 March 2020. 20 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200608025035/https://www.theborneopost.com/2020/03/12/royal-brunei-suspends-bintulu-flights/. 8 June 2020. live.
  5. Web site: Royal Brunei begins RB Link operation from late-July 2019. routesonline.com. 26 July 2019. 26 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190726151358/https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/285594/royal-brunei-begins-rb-link-operation-from-late-july-2019/. 26 July 2019. live.
  6. Web site: Royal Brunei expands RB Link regional network in W19. Routesonline. 2019-08-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20190821103002/https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/285974/royal-brunei-expands-rb-link-regional-network-in-w19/. 2019-08-21. live.