Bamboo Airways on Wednesday signed a deal with Boeing to purchase 10 wide-body 787-9 Dreamliners worth nearly US$3 billion.

The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the DPRK-USA Hà Nội Summit Việt Nam, in the presence of Vietnamese Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong and US President Donald Trump.

In June 2018, Bamboo Airways, wholly owned by multi-sector company FLC Group also signed a deal for 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners worth $5.6 billion in the US.

“The 787 Dreamliner’s unmatched efficiency, range and flexibility makes it the perfect airplane for Bamboo Airways to achieve its long-range ambitions,” said Kevin McAllister, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

He also added that the new deal would strengthen the partnership of Boeing and Bamboo Airways, so Boeing was looking forward to help Bamboo connect Việt Nam with key markets in Asia, Europe, North America and beyond.

Beside the new deal, Bamboo Airways and Boeing also reached an agreement on the expansion of orders in the near future.

Bamboo is considering buying 25 narrow-body Boeing 737 MAX planes worth an estimated $2.5 billion at list prices. Further details of the contract will be announced after both parties have reached a final agreement.

A good aide of Viet Nam – US direct flight route

Bamboo Airways plans to launch flights to the US from late 2019 to early 2020. FLC Group set up a representative office in the US in 2018 to prepare for the launch.

The carrier is implementing the plan after the US Federal Aviation Administration granted the Category 1 (CAT) to Viet Nam on February 15.

“Viet Nam and US economic and trade relations have seen rapid expansion. Direct flights between Viet Nam and the US will not only push tourism to draw nearly one million American tourists by 2020, but also facilitate bilateral trade and investment,” said Trinh Van Quyet, FLC Group’s chairman.

“The deal to add 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and the plan to buy 25 narrow-body 737 MAXs will enable Bamboo Airways to increase operational efficiency and competitiveness on the potential yet challenging air routes,” said Dang Tat Thang, CEO of Bamboo Airways.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is also one of the most advanced wide-body airliners that can satisfy the demands of international long-haul flights. Bamboo Airways aims to become the top hybrid carrier in Viet Nam and the region, targeting at 5-star service.

After its first commercial flight on January 16, the airline has conducted over 1,000 safe flights transporting around 90,000 passengers.

It plans to operate 37-40 domestic air routes this year, contributing to promoting trade and tourism between regions.

The airline also aims to launch international service in the second quarter, with the first destinations slated to be Thailand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan (China), Australia, the UK, France and China. — VNS