Bamboo Airways (based in Hanoi) plans to start out operations by the top of 2018, said the startup’s CEO Dang Tat Thang.
Unveiled earlier this month, Viet Bamboo Airlines Ltd is owned by local Vietnamese conglomerate FLC Group and has a registered capital of VND700 billion ($31 million).
Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency (CNA) last week, Dang said the carrier will operate flights under the “Bamboo Airways” brand. Initially, the services will give attention to the international leisure market, avoiding the rapidly growing, but increasingly crowded, domestic market.
In this regard, to assuage the federal government’s concerns in regards to the growing congestion at major entry points into Vietnam corresponding to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which has to date proven to be a big obstacle to the launch of Vietstar Airlines (Ho Chi Minh City), Dang said Bamboo Airways will operate flights from secondary airports.
The flights will give attention to carrying tourists to FLC Group resorts in Haiphong and northern Quang Ninh Province in Vietnam, Thanh Hoa and Qui Nhon in central Binh Dinh Province, Nha Trang Cam Ranh in Khanh Hoa Province and Phu Quoc in southern Kien Giang Province.
In terms of fleet requirements, Bamboo Airways will operate a leased fleet of seven aircraft. Currently, talks are underway with Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) regarding the acquisition of appropriate jets.
In terms of service area of interest, Bamboo Airways will operate as a boutique carrier offering passengers the chance to customize their on-board travel experience.
source: www.ch-aviation.com
