Bamboo Airways receives first aircraft, to take off earlier than planned

1 min readUpdated Jun 4, 2025Dec 18, 20189:18 AM

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Vietnam’s newest airline, Bamboo Airways, has advanced its maiden flight by two days to December 27, its CEO said Sunday. Dang Tat Thanh said the private carrier’s first aircraft, an Airbus A319 leased from an Irish company, has arrived in Hanoi.

Earlier, Trinh Van Quyet, chairman of FLC, the company that owns the airline, had said the first flight would be on December 29.

Bamboo Airways received the aviation license to become Vietnam’s fifth airline early last month. But it is still awaiting an aircraft operator certificate and permissions for parking and selling tickets.

It is also leasing an Airbus A320 from the same Irish company, and the airplane is expected to arrive later this month or early next month.

Bamboo Airways is allowed to operate 10 aircraft on both domestic and international routes and to carry passengers and cargo on its flights.

It plans to fly on 100 routes, connecting Vietnam’s major cities with popular domestic and international tourist destinations.

Bamboo Airways receives first aircraft, to take off earlier than planned

The carrier was founded with a charter capital of VND700 billion ($30 million), which it increased recently to VND1.3 trillion ($55.68 million).

It has signed deals to buy 24 Airbus A320neo and 20 Boeing B787-9 Dreamliner aircraft worth a total of $8.6 billion.

The other four carriers in Vietnam are Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Jetstar Pacific and VASCO.

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What this means

Bamboo Airways' accelerated launch date, despite pending certifications, demonstrates a bold, high-stakes entry into Vietnam's crowded aviation sector. This aggressive move, backed by significant capital increase and aircraft acquisition plans, directly pressures market leaders like Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air, who must now contend with a new, well-funded competitor. The challenge lies in securing operational approvals and establishing trust quickly, especially when rivals have proven market penetration. While new airlines often struggle to gain immediate traction, Bamboo's strategy of focusing on 100 routes could carve out a distinct niche, echoing Panpuri's focused expansion. The market's immediate test will be the pricing strategy upon ticket sales commencement.

Wei Zhang · Retail News Asia newsroom

Questions & Answers

What steps does Bamboo Airways still need to complete before it can begin flying passengers?

Bamboo Airways has its aviation license but still needs to secure an aircraft operator certificate. It also requires permissions for parking its aircraft and for selling tickets to the public before commencing operations.

How many aircraft is Bamboo Airways permitted to operate under its current license?

The airline is currently allowed to operate a fleet of 10 aircraft. These can be used for both domestic and international routes, carrying both passengers and cargo as part of its services.

What is the total value of the aircraft purchase deals Bamboo Airways has signed?

Bamboo Airways has signed agreements to purchase 24 Airbus A320neo and 20 Boeing B787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. The combined value of these substantial deals totals $8.6 billion.

Which company owns Bamboo Airways and what is its main business?

Bamboo Airways is owned by FLC, a company whose chairman is Trinh Van Quyet. The article does not specify FLC's main business beyond its ownership of the airline.

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