Royal Brunei Airlines (BI, Bandar Seri Begawan) may seek out an equity partner next year Deputy chairman, Dermot Mannion, has disclosed. In an interview with the Irish Independent, Mr Mannion said such an option would suit the carrier strategically: "We will be looking at a joint venture opportunity and a cross-equity shareholding," he said. "We'll look at that in 2014. It will be the next phase of development." He added that Royal Brunei was "open to having dialogue" with other "like-minded" airlines. As part of plans to prettify the airline ahead of any potential tie-up, Royal Brunei has reduced its workforce by 500 to 1'500. In addition, it has been able to reduce its overheads by USD100million. On the issue of the airline's rumoured fleet renewal plans, Mr Mannion said a decision about an order for ten short-haul aircraft would be made by the end of the year. Talks with both Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) and Boeing (BOE, Washington National) are due over the next few weeks with a decison expected shortly after.