Bamboo Airways organized two momentous events on December 22: welcoming the first wide-body aircraft – Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in Hanoi and holding a Ceremony announcing the arrival of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in Ha Long (Quang Ninh).

The first 787-9 Dreamliner bearing the name of “Ha Long Bay”

In the morning of December 22, 2019, Bamboo Airways welcomed the first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi), turning it into the first private airline to operate wide-body aircraft in Vietnam. The first flight from Hanoi to Van Don International Airport (Quang Ninh) was operated with this aircraft.

The Welcoming Ceremony of Bamboo Airways’ First Boeing787-9 Dreamliner at Van Don Airport – Quang Ninh

Among the most modern members of the 787 family, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner can carry about 294 passengers on 13,950 km. This is an aircraft that has more seats arranged than 787-8 (248 seats) and has the longer range than 787-10 (11,750 km).

It is also the world’s most fuel-efficient modern of aircraft with high level of safety and durability, which can reduce noise and emissions. Compared to other similar aircraft, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner consumes 20% less fuel and 30-40% less maintenance cost.

Because of the above reasons, Bamboo Airways regards Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner as the aircraft model that plays a key role in the future operation of the Airline’s medium and long-haul routes to Asia, Europe and America in 2020.

“Bamboo Airways has seen remarkable growth since the start of its operation nearly one year ago. The Airline is positioned to become a key player in serving the rapidly rising domestic Vietnamese market and achieve its long-range plans to connect Asia with Europe, North America and beyond. We are honored that they have selected the innovative 787 Dreamliner for its long-haul expansion. The Dreamliners will bring the perfect combination of efficiency and flexibility for Bamboo Airways to serve new point-to-point regional and international destinations,” said Ihssane Mounir – Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing of The Boeing Company.

Representatives of Bamboo Airways and Boeing cut the ribbon to celebrate the event of Bamboo Airways becoming the first private airline in Vietnam to operate wide-body aircraft

Named after “Ha Long Bay” – a world-famous natural heritage of Vietnam, the first wide-body aircraft of Bamboo Airways marks the arrivals of a series the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. It is expected that by January 2020, Bamboo Airways will operate 4 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

In the immediate future, “Ha Long Bay” will be exploited by Bamboo Airways on Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh city, Hanoi – Phu Quoc route from the beginning of January 2020 to meet the increasing travel demand in the coming 2020 Lunar New Year holiday.

In the afternoon of December 22, in order to provide insight into the aviation market’s development together with in-depth information and overview of Bamboo Airways and its prospect, the Airline organized the Welcoming Ceremony of Bamboo Airways’ First Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner at the International Convention Center of FLC Halong Bay Golf Club & Luxury Resort (Ha Long city, Quang Ninh Province), with the participation of the leaders of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, leaders of Bamboo Airways, leaders of securities companies – finance, aviation experts, partners, etc.

20,000 absolute safety flights with the highest on-time performance rate in the industry

Bamboo Airways receiving the first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is the most recent milestone of the Carrier after nearly one year of launch with numerous impressive achievements.

Starting to operate the first commercial flights in January 2019, Bamboo Airways is now operating 34 domestic and international routes and is rapidly expanding its network. The Airline’s fleet is expected to reach 30 aircraft by January 2020, including modern aircraft such as Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, Airbus A321neo, etc.

Bamboo Airways’ first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner named after “Ha Long Bay”

As of now, Bamboo Airways has exploited nearly 20,000 absolute safe flights, transported more than 2 million passengers with the average on-time performance rate of 94% – the highest rate in the aviation industry of Vietnam over the first 11 months of 2019.

In terms of service quality, Bamboo Airways was voted as one of 100 most trusted product and service providers by consumers in 2019. The Carrier also won the title of “The Airline with Best Service” in the field of tourism – resort – real estate.

“Despite operating for only less than a year, Bamboo Airways has carried a record number of passengers compared to its fleet size. As revealed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, Bamboo Airways has opened many domestic routes including many completely new ones within just a short period of time, which makes the Airline a pioneer in the journey of expanding Vietnamese air routes,” said Deputy Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam in the Event.

The goal of undertaking IPO, acquiring 30% of domestic market, opening 85 routes in 2020

Appreciating Bamboo Airways’ contribution to the overall development of Vietnam’s aviation industry, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Uong Chu Luu acknowledged the outstanding accomplishments of the Airline after less than a year of launch: achieving the highest on-time performance rate in the entire aviation industry of Vietnam, transporting millions of passengers, operating safe flights and receiving many compliments from the customers for the quality of service, etc.

The establishment of new airlines such as Bamboo Airways, according to the National Assembly of Vietnam’s Vice President, has enabled Vietnam’s aviation market to flourish with the ceaseless development of service quality which enormously benefits the customers.

Meanwhile, Deputy General Director of Bamboo Airways Eddy Doyle, said that Bamboo Airways’ fleet is expected to reach 100 aircraft by 2025 to transport 50 million passengers/year.

“From these solid platforms, Bamboo Airways is accelerating towards the target of acquiring 30% of domestic aviation market by 2020, expanding the network to 85 routes by 2020, including 60 domestic and 25 international routes. At the same time, we are focusing on the cooperation with the world’s leading partners in the field of aviation technology and training to further improve the overall quality of service,” he emphasized.

The Carrier is attracting the attention of a large number of domestic and foreign investors after drawing a road map to undertake IPO in 2020, with the expected market capitalization of USD1 billion after listing.  Bamboo Airways plans to carry out IPO with stock ticker “BAV” with the estimated starting price of VND60,000 (USD~2.6)/share.

Bamboo Airways is selecting its potential and experienced strategic investors, especially from the US, Japan and Europe, with the goal of offering to foreign strategic investors the price of not less than VND160,000 (~USD6.9)/share.