Bamboo Airways to make maiden flight on January 16

Bamboo Airways will operate its first flight on January 16. (Photo: Vneconomy)

The airline started selling tickets from 12pm on January 12, with minimum ticket prices at 149,000 VND (6.4 USD) each.

It is now integrating multiple payment gateways which are familiar with customers – like NAPAS, VNPay, and the mobile app of Military Bank – into its website, its Vice President Duong Thi Mai Hoa told the press on January 10.

Bamboo Airways will provide a wide range of tickets, namely Bamboo Eco, Bamboo Plus, and Bamboo Business. Customers can also buy tickets at Bamboo’s 1,000 agents nationwide.

Additionally, check-in procedures will be able to run via mobile phone, QR Code, or check-in kiosks at the airport during the second quarter.

Bamboo Airways received its licence to transport passengers, mail, and freight following those of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, budget operators Jetstar Pacific and Vietjet Air, and Viet Nam Air Service (VASCO).

Bamboo Airways is part of the Viet Bamboo Airlines Company based in Quy Nhon in Binh Dinh province. Viet Bamboo Airlines Company, owned by property developer FLC Group, was established in 2017 with the charter capital of 700 billion VND (31.4 million USD).

FLC has positioned Bamboo Airways as a hybrid airline, blending low-cost traits with those of traditional or full-service carriers to meet the demands of every market segment.

The group has also invested in infrastructure for aviation operations, such as upgrading Phu Cat Airport in Quy Nhon City and roads connecting the airport to the Nhon Hoi Economic Zone.

As planned, the carrier will operate 37 routes connecting major cities and tourist destinations at home and abroad in 2019. The first domestic routes will be Hanoi-Quy Nhon, Hanoi-Dong Hoi, Ho Chi Minh City-Quy Nhon, Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City, and Ho Chi Minh City-Van Don. Up to 60 domestic flights per day are planned. 

Flights to Asia and Europe such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore will use wide-body aircraft. 

It has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Civil Authority of Vietnam on using landing services and security checks at Tan Son Nhat (HCM City), Noi Bai (Hanoi), Phu Cat (Quy Nhon), Dong Hoi (Quang Binh), Tho Xuan (Thanh Hoa), and Cat Bi (Hai Phong).