In an extensive interview conducted by the AM4 Herald, we discussed among many things, FlyBhutan’s entering of the widebody market, as it takes delivery of their first 787.
AM4H: Okey, what’s your fleet plan?
FB: Well, I'm thinking of keeping the A220s as they're quite fuel efficient and work well with my base in Paro. They will remain the work horse of the airline.
As you've seen, I've just started taking on my first 787-10 dreamliner (it arrives in 2h30). (FlyBhutan already operates 3 of these aircraft.)
The reason I chose this aircraft is because it will be used for high demand medium haul routes to West Africa and Australia. I'm launching the first route to the Rwandan capital of Kigali and hoping to bring on a further 19 in the next weeks to come.
The aircraft has a great capacity and it was chosen over cheaper similar sized aircraft because of it's efficiency, speed and range. Also it has way better customer satisfaction in the real world than the IL96-400 for example.
The range is needed as I will be also starting flights to Europe next month.
Further along the line, I hope to invest in the A330-800neo and A330-900neo to get that added efficiency and range to touch into the north american market too.
So far, I haven't got any plans to launch cargo operations, but I will be evaluating it when my fleet limit for passenger flights is reached.
FB: Well, I'm thinking of keeping the A220s as they're quite fuel efficient and work well with my base in Paro. They will remain the work horse of the airline.
As you've seen, I've just started taking on my first 787-10 dreamliner (it arrives in 2h30). (FlyBhutan already operates 3 of these aircraft.)
The reason I chose this aircraft is because it will be used for high demand medium haul routes to West Africa and Australia. I'm launching the first route to the Rwandan capital of Kigali and hoping to bring on a further 19 in the next weeks to come.
The aircraft has a great capacity and it was chosen over cheaper similar sized aircraft because of it's efficiency, speed and range. Also it has way better customer satisfaction in the real world than the IL96-400 for example.
The range is needed as I will be also starting flights to Europe next month.
Further along the line, I hope to invest in the A330-800neo and A330-900neo to get that added efficiency and range to touch into the north american market too.
So far, I haven't got any plans to launch cargo operations, but I will be evaluating it when my fleet limit for passenger flights is reached.
AM4H: Anything else?
FB: Yes, my bases are Paro for short haul and my main focus area and Kathmandu is for long haul flights as Paro has a restricted runway and I don't want to use aircraft with unrealistic runway requirements just so I can fly directly from Paro.
Also concerning the fleet, as efficiency and greeness is important to me as is time, I will be looking into upgrading the whole final fleet with 10% less fuel burn, 10% less CO2 emission and the 10% speed increase.
FB: Yes, my bases are Paro for short haul and my main focus area and Kathmandu is for long haul flights as Paro has a restricted runway and I don't want to use aircraft with unrealistic runway requirements just so I can fly directly from Paro.
Also concerning the fleet, as efficiency and greeness is important to me as is time, I will be looking into upgrading the whole final fleet with 10% less fuel burn, 10% less CO2 emission and the 10% speed increase.
Nice
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