Vietnam’s newest airline is taking delivery of yet another used Embraer E195. This will be the airline’s third E195, with the first two also coming from other airlines around the world. The carrier began E195 operations at the end of September, flying passengers between several Vietnamese cities.
Details of the delivery flight from Warsaw to Hanoi
The Embraer E195 is a regional jet. As such, it does not have the range to fly non-stop from Warsaw (Poland) to its new home in Vietnam. Therefore, the delivery journey had the aircraft make two stops along the way.
When an airline needs additional capacity, help can come from interesting places. Bamboo Airways is wet-leasing an E195 from LOT. Routing to Hanoi via Tbilisi and Delhi. https://t.co/HSVWC0Ok7t pic.twitter.com/ICNyCxgkkM
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) October 28, 2020
Leaving Warsaw on October 28th, the small twinjet registered SP-LHI made its first stop in Tbilisi (Georgia). On the ground for just under an hour to refuel, the jet then continued east, making its second stop in Delhi (India). It landed in the Indian capital city in the early hours of October 29th. Taking just over an hour to refuel, the aircraft carried on towards Hanoi in Vietnam, finally arriving at 12:23 local time, according to FlightRadar24.com.
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Why is the aircraft coming from LOT?
Well, according to LOT Polish Air, the aircraft was chosen due to its existing certification with EASA as is stated in a recent Twitter post by the airline (translated):
[LOT Polish Air] signed a contract for the rental of two Embraer 195 [Bamboo Airways]. The carrier chose LOT due to the EASA certificate, which guarantees the implementation of air operations in accordance with the highest standards. Today’s take-off of the 1st plane on the route of 5,220 miles. -LOT Polish Air via Twitter
#PLLLOT podpisał umowę na wynajem dwóch Embraerów 195 z @bamboo_airways. Przewoźnik wybrał LOT ze względu na certyfikat EASA gwarantujący realizację operacji lotniczych zgodnie z najwyższymi standardami. Dziś start 1-ego samolotu na trasie 5220 mil.@ChopinAirport pic.twitter.com/DbckszTjD8
— Polskie Linie Lotnicze LOT (@LOTPLAirlines) October 28, 2020
We can assume that this was also a factor in Bamboo Airways selecting Danish regional airline Greate Dane Airlines for the two previous E195s.
As is stated above, Bamboo Airways is wet leasing the aircraft from LOT. The arrangement is the same as that of Great Dane Airlines. Meaning that the European carriers are providing the aircraft as well as fuel and crew. The planes may wear the Bamboo Airways livery, but it is technically operated by the lessee.
Service to and from Con Dao
The E195s in service at the moment are flying to and from Con Dao. The aircraft type has been particularly selected because of its short runway performance, as is stated by the airline’s executive vice-chairman:
“Bamboo Airways is proud to offer jet-operated flights to Con Dao with the E195s. The aircraft’s short runway performance makes it an ideal aircraft for flights to and from Con Dao. The two by two seating will offer our passengers a high level of comfort in a modern, spacious aircraft, including the one-of-its-kind Business Class on the route to Con Dao.” -Mr. Dang Tat Thang, Executive Vice Chairman of Bamboo Airways
According to Planespotters.net, Bamboo Airways has one more E195 on the way. This aircraft will also come from LOT and has been identified as SP-LNH.
Do you think wet leasing the E195 is a good idea? Or should the airline have gone with a purchase? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.