HÀ NỘI — Bamboo Airways’ first flights are scheduled for October and the airline plans to open 37 domestic and international routes in the future.

Bamboo Airways is considered the first hybrid airline, combining traditional full services and affordable services in Việt Nam with an aim to meet diversified demands of all passengers.

“After four years of careful preparation and based on research of airline models around the world, FLC Group is honoured and proud to present a new brand: Bamboo Airways,” said Trịnh Văn Quyết, chairman of FLC Group – the airline’s owner at the launch ceremony held in central coastal province of Bình Định last weekend.

The airline’s launch is a milestone as Việt Nam has strong policies to develop tourism into a spearhead economic sector and allow private enterprises to invest in the domestic air transport market. The airline would help Việt Nam become an increasingly attractive destination on the world’s tourism map.

Quyết said in the process of developing large-scale tourism resort complexes nationwide, the group realised that the need for connecting domestic provinces and cities together and to foreign countries by air has always been a great concern. 

This was the reason behind FLC’s plan to establish a new large-scale airline, he said, adding that with the Government’s encouragement of private sector involvement, the country’s aviation industry would continue to grow. The development of the aviation sector would be an important pre-condition for turning Việt Nam’s tourism industry into a key economic sector by 2020, contributing over 10 per cent of GDP.

National Assembly Deputy Chairman Uông Chu Lưu said Bamboo Airways together with other airlines would promote the economic development of localities as well as better connect Việt Nam’s regions and foreign countries.

"Bamboo Airways is expected to be a new option for experiences in Việt Nam, with good quality services and reasonable prices,” he added.

Hồ Quốc Dũng, chairman of Bình Định’s People’s Committee, said Bamboo Airways, which is headquartered at Phù Cát Airport (Quy Nhơn City), would facilitate passengers’ travel to the province, especially investors and tourists, thus contributing to local tourism and socio-economic development.

On July 9, the Prime Minister officially approved the establishment of Bamboo Airways.

Previously, FLC Group signed a US$5.6 billion agreement to buy 20 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in June. It also signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for up to 24 A321 NEO planes in March. — VNS