Bamboo Airways officially licenced to operate

By Lam Giang - Nov 09, 2018 | 03:03 PM GMT+7

TheLEADERThe Prime Minister has formally approved the proposal of the Ministry of Transport on the licensing of air transportation business for Bamboo Airways, a member of the FLC Group.

Bamboo Airways officially licenced to operate
Zodiac Aerospace's Aura Enhanced design that Bamboo Airlines is considering for business class seating

The decision was issued after the November 8th meeting on the operation licence for Bamboo Airways, hosted by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc with the participation of relevant ministries, sectors and localities.

Accordingly, Bamboo Airways' licensing reached a consensus. "The Prime Minister agreed on the overarching plan and assigned the Ministry of Transport to evaluate and licence this airline," said Minister, Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung.

Previously, the Ministry of Transport has sent an official letter to the Prime Minister, asking to be permitted to granting the air transportation business licence for Bamboo Airways. After the evaluation, the Ministry stated that the portfolio of Bamboo Airways was adequate, valid, as well as met the conditions regarding capital, aircraft plans, the organisation structure, business plans and product development strategies as required.

Bamboo Airways officially licenced to operate
A design for a boarding pass of Bamboo Airways

Previously, the investment policy of Bamboo Airways was approved by the Government on July 9th.

"With the air transportation business licence approved by the Government on November 8th, the final stage of preparation for the first flight scheduled at the end of this year has also been completed," said Dang Tat Thang, Bamboo Airways CEO.

Bamboo Airways’ first A319, A320 aircraft of the Airbus brand are being completed in Turkey and the Philippines, ready to arrive in Vietnam. The test flight also shows that the aircraft fully meets the technical specifications, ready to operate.

Bamboo Airways officially licenced to operate 1
The successful test flight of Bamboo Airways

It is projected that Bamboo Airways will bring about 20 aircraft to Vietnam this year and 20 to 30 more next year. The new aircraft under two contracts worth $8.8 billion signed with Airbus and Boeing are expected to be handed over from 2020.

As planned, the airline will operate about 100 routes connecting all major cities and popular tourist destinations in Vietnam and around the world. The first domestic routes are expected to be Ha Noi - Quy Nhon, Hanoi - Dong Hoi, Ho Chi Minh City - Quy Nhon, Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City - Van Don, etc.