Vietstar Airlines granted consent for commercial operations

The airline will be allowed to offer charter flights on two types of aircraft, including the Embraer Legacy 600 and Beechcraft King Air B300. While the former model is a business jet and can carry up to 13 passengers, the later is a modern and high-speed jet with eight seats available.

Founded in 2010 with a chartered capital of VND400 billion ($17.4 million), Vietstar Airlines Multirole Corporation (VSA) is an aviation company specialised in passenger and cargo transport, aircraft repairing and maintenance, aviation fuel supplying and pilot training.

VSA applied for a commercial license in 2015 and was requested to raise its registered capital. When it doubled its charter capital to VND800 billion ($34.78 million) in 2016, the airline was said to be qualified for the commercial license for passenger and cargo transport services.

The local aviation market now has five commercial airlines, including the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, two budget carriers Vietjet Air and Jetstar Pacific, Vietnam Air Services Company (VASCO), and Bamboo Airways under FLC Group.

Earlier on this month, the largest private enterprise in VietnamVingroup has announced its opening of a pilot training school and the launch of its Vinpearl Air Aviation JSC, with a chartered capital of VND1.3 trillion (over $56 million).

Malaysian budget airline AirAsia has made several attempts to launch a low-cost carrier in Vietnam in the past years, yet it has not succeeded. The airline however insists on its keen interest in operating a low-cost airline in Vietnam to leverage the country’s favourable geographical location, prospective aviation market and growth overall.