Bamboo Airways, a subsidiary of property developer FLC Group, launched its maiden flight between HCMC and Hanoi City today, January 16, officially making it the fifth Vietnamese airline, the local media reported.

A Bamboo Airways aircraft 

Bamboo Airways general director Dang Tat Thang said the airline plans to fly on 37 domestic and international air routes connecting large cities and popular tourist destinations in 2019.

During the Tet holiday, Bamboo Airways will operate eight domestic routes with 26 flights per day. These planned local flights are Hanoi-Quy Nhon, Hanoi-Dong Hoi, HCMC-Quy Nhon, Hanoi-HCMC, Hanoi-Buon Ma Thuot and HCMC-Van Don.

Also the carrier will launch international flights to Asian countries, starting with Japan, South Korea and Singapore, and then expand its reach into Europe this year.

On July 9, 2018, Bamboo officially got the nod from the prime minister to launch flights. The Ministry of Transport on November 12, 2018 issued a business license for aviation transport to Bamboo.

In addition, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam on January 8 awarded the Aircraft Operator Certificate to the carrier, officially approving the new carrier’s commercial operations.

Bamboo will initially operate three aircraft on local air routes, with 60 daily flights.

The airline signed a deal in June 2018 to purchase 20 Boeing 787-9 wide-body jets worth US$5.6 billion and a memorandum of understanding in March with European plane maker Airbus for up to 24 A320neo narrow-body aircraft.

Bamboo is expected to be a hybrid airline, combining traditional and budget airlines to meet the demands of every segment.

SGT