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Oct 09, 2018 / 15:14

Bamboo Airways delays official launch to year-end

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) under the Ministry of Transport (MoT) has not provided any update with regard to the issuance of aviation license to Bamboo Airways.

Without an aviation license, Vietnamese startup carrier Bamboo Airways, with the backing of conglomerate FLC Group, has to delay its official launch to the end of 2018 instead of the initially scheduled October 10, local media reported. 
 
Illustrative photo.
Illustrative photo.
Dang Tat Thang, CEO of Bamboo Airways, said the airline is in the process of obtaining the aviation license. 

According to Thang, this is the final legal requirement for Bamboo Airways to enter Vietnam's aviation industry. Meanwhile, the airline is actively finalizing its organizational structure. 

"We expect to launch the first flight at the end of the fourth quarter," Thang was quoted by Zing.vn as saying. 

However, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) under the Ministry of Transport (MoT) has not provided any update with regard to the issuance of aviation license to Bamboo Airways, Zing reported. 

Bamboo Airways plans to provide domestic flights connecting FLC's resort complexes in Vietnam, in addition to international flights from major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to countries in the region. 

With this strategy, the airline is expected to create new products and markets, enhancing competitiveness in Vietnam's aviation market and providing new options for passengers.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has given his approval to the Bamboo Airways investment project at Phu Cat Airport, Binh Dinh province with Viet Bamboo Airlines JSC, a subsidiary of FLC Group operating Bamboo Airways, as project owner on July 9.

In May, FLC Group signed a US$3-billion contract with Airbus to buy 24 A321neo aircraft, which are expected to be delivered to Bamboo Airlines in the agreed timeline in the 2022 - 2025 period. The airline also expected to rent an additional 10 aircraft for operation. 

One month later, FLC Group reached an agreement with Boeing to purchase 20 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for Bamboo Airways in a contract worth US$5.6 billion at current list prices.

Vietnam currently has four airlines, including national carrier Vietnam Airlines, budget operator Jetstar Pacific Airlines (partly owned by Vietnam Airlines), budget carrier Vietjet Aviation, and Vietnam Air Services (VASCO).Bamboo Airways delays official launch to fourth quarter