Bamboo Airways to fly 40 routes by 2023
The FLC Group’s Bamboo Airways plans to open 24 domestic routes and 16 international routes by 2023.
Photo: FLC Group
Given the plan, the 24 aircraft to be received from Airbus in the 2022-2025 period is only part of its overall strategy, according to General Director Mr. Dang Tat Thang.
Bamboo Airways has already conducted a number of practical activities, such as signing a memorandum of understanding to purchase 24 Airbus A321neo aircraft and a purchase agreement for ten Boeing 737 Max 9 and five 777X aircraft.While waiting for the handover of aircraft from Airbus, Bamboo Airways will lease 20 Airbus and Boeing aircraft in the fourth quarter of 2018 in order to conduct flights.
The “hot” aircraft in the market, the A321neo is suitable for short-haul flights. After a period of operations and performance testing, Bamboo Airways will consider expanding its investments.
As soon as the contract for 24 Airbus 321neo aircraft is completed, the FLC Group plans to order 26 Airbus A321 LR (Long Range) aircraft, bringing its fleet to 50. The A321 LR has the longest fuselage among all aircraft and is capable of flying some 7,400 km without refueling, making it suitable for Bamboo Airways’ long-term operations.
Boeing has suggested the Dreamliner 787 and Dreamliner 787-10, which are designed with 20 to 45 per cent load capacity, a capacity of 323 passengers, 60 per cent noise reductions, and 20 per cent fuel savings. They would be a suitable option for long-haul international flights, especially to the Americas and Europe, which Bamboo Airways could develop after its launch in the domestic and Asian markets.
The FLC Group and Bamboo Airways continue to actively negotiate with many other companies specializing in selling and leasing aircraft in the world to expand its flight services.
Established in 2017, Bamboo Airways is a member of the FLC Group, has charter capital of VND700 billion ($31.1 million), and is a pioneer in the hybrid model (a combination between traditional and low-cost carriers). Passengers will be offered the same facilities as traditional airlines at a only slightly higher cost than on budget carriers.
In its first year of operations, Bamboo Airways is expected to operate eight to ten routes to priority domestic destinations such as Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa, Quy Nhon, and Nha Trang in Vietnam.
In subsequent years it will add international routes to Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Hong Kong and Taiwan. By 2023 it will open long-haul routes to the Americas, Europe and Africa.
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