New Vietnam based airline startup Bamboo Airways says it is still on track to start operations this year – just.
It is projecting December 29 as the launch date for its maiden flight, parent company FLC Group said.
A FLC Group statement announcing its fuel supplier also said it will begin operations with a fleet of 10 aircraft and will double that in early 2019.
The airline initially planned to launch in October but that was pushed back due to a delay in obtaining its air operator certificate.
It received an air transport business licence in early November.
Ticket reservations haven’t yet gone live.
The maiden flight will connect Hanoi with Quy Nhon.
Bamboo plans to connect Japan and Korea with tourist destinations across Vietnam including Thanh Hoa, Binh Dinh, Phu Quoc and Nha Trang, where FLC operates resorts and golf courses.
The business model will be full service but priced competitively with low cost competitors, it says.
Long haul flights to the Americas are a long term goal for the airline, chairman Trinh Van Quyet said.
It is leasing Airbus jets and has signed letters of intent for up to 20 Boeing 787-9s and 24 Airbus A321neos.
