Bamboo Airways (QH, Hanoi Noi Bai International) has told Bloomberg that it will launch commercial operations on January 16, 2019, a week after it had secured its Air Operator's Certificate (AOC).

Initially, the Vietnamese full-service start-up will operate domestic flights initially, with the first flights scheduled from Hanoi Noi Bai International to each of Buon Ma Thuot, Da Nang, Dong Hoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc, and Qui Nhon. It will also run flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Qui Nhon. It plans international debut on routes to Japan, South Korea, and Singapore later this year.

Bamboo Airways secured its AOC on January 8. Initially, the carrier planned to launch in late 2018.

At the launch, the carrier will operate four Airbus narrowbodies, namely one ex-SilkAir A319-100, two ex-Turkish Airlines A320-200s (all three dry-leased from FTAI Aviation), and one brand new A321-200neo originally destined for the now-defunct Primera Air Scandinavia. It is also wet-leasing three A320-200 from Turkey's Freebird Airlines. In 2018, the carrier also signed an eight-year dry-lease contract for three A320 Family jets from CDB Aviation due for delivery in early 2019.

Owner FLC Group has also signed commitments for twenty-four A321-200neo and twenty B787-9 with Airbus and Boeing respectively.