Vietravel is completing finishing touches and will soon operate its maiden flight, followed by commercial services launch in mid-January.

A couple of days before the New Year, Vietravel Airlines was awarded the Aircraft Operator Certificate, which officially marked the startup carrier’s addition to the industry.

“The first routes will be Hue – Hanoi and Hue – Ho Chi Minh City, before connecting other airfields in Nha Trang, Van Don, Da Nang, and Da Lat to Thua Thien – Hue, where the airline is headquartered,” said Vu Duc Bien, CEO of Vietravel Airlines.

The tickets have been on sale since January 1st. Vietravel positions itself as a hybrid of a low-cost carrier and traditional airline model. According to Bien, the ticket price will not be as low as VietJet’s, but at the same time, it will not reach Bamboo’s range.

Currently, the company has one Airbus A321 and expects to receive two more airplanes before the peak Lunar New Year travel season. It employs 200 pilots and flight attendants and is looking to increase its fleet to 30 for international operations.

Debuting amid the pandemic has its benefits as Vietravel could invest less in all the necessities, including aircraft and personnel. Besides, a government stimulus package has been only available due to the coronavirus outbreak.