Vietnam's Bamboo Airways moves a step closer to starting operations

Fledgling Vietnamese carrier Bamboo Airways moved a step closer to starting operations on Tuesday as the government said it would authorise the transport ministry to issue it with an aviation licence. Privately owned FLC Group last month agreed a $5.6b deal to buy 20 Boeing planes at current list prices and in March signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for up to 24 planes. The government said Tuesday that Bamboo Airways will invest US$30m during 2019-2023 on 10 Airbus or Boeing planes, but it was unclear whether it would rent or buy planes initially. It will become Vietnam’s fifth airline. It has yet to receive an aviation licence but the government said Tuesday that it had authorised “The Ministry of Transportation to evaluate and issue an air transport business license in accordance with the law.” FLC has said it expects the airline to begin operations in 2019 and launch direct flights to the US and Europe and position itself as a hybrid airline, combining traditional and low–cost models, the company said Tuesday.<br/>