China’s leading online travel agency Ctrip has concluded a strategic investment in Boom Supersonic.
The Chinese company would not disclose the “amount and range” of its investment, except to say that Boom has so far raised $85 million, including seed investment, venture capital and investments from strategic partners.
With this investment, Ctrip aims to bring “faster travel” to China and to “promote supersonic flights” to its over 300 million registered users.
“We see great growth in the Chinese market and…we make investments in the future to ensure that our users are able to experience the travel of tomorrow,” says Ctrip.
“Boom will help to discuss on arranging 10 to 15 seats for Ctrip customers on one of Boom’s first supersonic commercial flights. Together, we hope to make the world more accessible by halving flight times.”
A total of five airlines have committed to buy up to 76 Boom airliners. The two identified customers are Japan Airlines, which announced a $10 million investment and a pre-order of up to 20 aircraft, and Virgin Group, with a commitment to order up to 10 aircraft.
Boom is starting initial construction of its XB-1 technology demonstrator, which is expected to make its first flight this year. Thereafter, the Mach 2.2-capable airliners are scheduled to enter service in mid-2020s.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
