7X CEO aims to develop business jet charter service

"Global general aviation activities generate hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in revenue. By 2022, there will be approximately 350,000 aircraft and around one million pilots serving this sector worldwide," said Ho Thanh Huong, after extensive research on global trends and the current state of the industry.

General aviation is categorized into three main types: the first supports socio-economic development, including agriculture, forestry, cargo transport, medical services, rescue operations, and aerial surveys. The second is for recreational purposes, such as aviation clubs. The third serves high-end clients and VIPs through private jet charters.

CEO Ho Thanh Huong. Photo courtesy of Huong

With over 20 years of experience in aircraft leasing and acquisitions for major airlines, Ho Thanh Huong saw untapped potential in Vietnam's general aviation sector. However, she noted that the number and scale of businesses operating in this field remain modest. The niche market for leasing business jets, which caters to corporate and VIP clients, has only recently begun to develop in Vietnam.

In 2021, Huong made a bold move by acquiring Bluesky Airways, a defunct airline that had never operated a flight in its 10 years of existence. Upon taking over, she immediately launched a project to restore its operating license. In early 2022, after being re-licensed by the Ministry of Transport to operate "general aviation for commercial purposes," Bluesky Airways took its first flight, serving business passengers.

"I wasn’t acting recklessly by investing in a 'dead' airline. It was driven by my passion for the industry and my desire to revive general aviation in Vietnam," said the CEO.

CEO Ho Thanh Huong standing next to one of Bluesky Airway's most favorable airplanes by the businessmen. Photo courtesy of Bluesky Airways

Currently, Bluesky Airways operates a fleet that includes Falcon 8X, Falcon 2000, Gulfstream G650, G450, and Boeing BBJ aircraft. Both domestic and international passengers can block-charter entire aircraft or customize their flight bookings based on their specific needs.

Huong explained that charter flights come with a significant cost, which is why Bluesky’s clientele consists of a select group of affluent individuals with high travel demands and a need for exclusive services.

Beyond business flights, Huong is determined to tap into other areas of general aviation, such as tourism flights, sightseeing tours, emergency services, and even aviation clubs for hobbyists in Vietnam.

Inside a Bluesky Airways' airplane. Photo courtesy of Bluesky Airways

"I hope that Vietnam's general aviation sector will soon receive more attention and investment, similar to other countries. We need planning for dedicated airspaces, terminals, and private airports, as well as regulations governing flight parameters, procedures, and landing approaches for general aviation," she said.

In March of this year, Huong took another step in her aviation journey by enrolling in a pilot training course at Viet Flight Training School to obtain a private pilot license.