News
Bamboo Airways announces December 29 maiden flight
November 23rd 2018
Vietnam’s FLC Group, owner of start-up Bamboo Airways, said this week the new airline’s first flight would be on December 29 following a longer than expected AOC application process. Read More »
Bamboo Airways plans to commence operations with 10 leased A320 Family jets that will increase to a fleet of 20 by the end of 2020. The carrier has secured three A320 Family jets on lease from Standard Chartered Aviation Finance. It remains unclear from where Bamboo plans to source the remaining airplanes.
Earlier this month, Bamboo signed a lease agreement with Hong Kong’s CDB Aviation for three new A320neo from the lessor’s order book with Airbus. The three planes are scheduled for delivery to Bamboo in the second half of 2019. CDB Aviation is the first aircraft lessor to lease new aircraft to the carrier and Bamboo Airways is CDB Leasing’s first airline customer in Vietnam.The airline is run by CEO Dang Tat Thang.
Bamboo is Vietnam’s first hybrid airline, combining a traditional full-service model with low-cost solutions. The carrier is a subsidiary of Vietnamese financial, tourism, mining and real estate conglomerate, FLC Group.
Earlier this year, the airline made the headlines when it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airbus for 24 A321neo. At the signing ceremony, the airline said it would order an equal number of A321LRs after its business licence was approved.
Shortly after signing the Airbus MoU, Bamboo agreed a Memorandum of Understanding with Boeing for the purchase of 20 B787-9s. Bamboo Airways’ intends to operate a domestic and international network including to destinations where FLC hotels and resorts are located. It will compete with Vietnam Airlines and LCCs VietJet Air and Jetstar Pacific.
The biggest challenge to aviation development in Vietnam is infrastructure. Slots at Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are filling up quickly and there is a shortage of ramp space. Addressing the growing congestion, Bamboo Airways said it would fly passengers directly to Quy Nhon, Quang Ninh, Haiphong, Thanh Hoa, Phu Quoc, and Nha Trang.
Bamboo received its business licence in early November. AT the press time, it was still waiting to have its AOC approved. The Vietnamese authorities have signalled that AOC clearance was only a matter of time.
