Vietnam's third budget airline finally takes off

Bamboo Airways' maiden flight signals more competition in nation's skies

Crew members of Bamboo Airways stand outside a plane before a flight from Hanoi's Noi Bai airport on Jan. 16. © Reuters

TOMOYA ONISHI, Nikkei staff writer

January 16, 2019 14:25 JST

Updated on January 16, 2019 17:15 JST

HANOI -- Bamboo Airways, Vietnam's third low-cost carrier, made its maiden flight on Wednesday after two delays due to failure to obtain government approval.

The launch of the airline is likely to heighten competition between other budget carriers like VietJet Air, pushing down fares in the country's crowded aviation market.