Bamboo Airways looks to join alliance

Bamboo Airways will look to join an alliance in 2023 as the Vietnamese startup seeks further cooperation to develop its network beyond Asia. Speaking at Routes Asia 2022 in Da Nang, Bamboo CCO Thach Pierre Hoang said the carrier is already in discussions with the likes of Japan Airlines, Air Canada and Virgin Australia on potential interlining pacts. In 2023 the project team will make a decision on which alliance to pursue membership of after getting a clearer picture on criteria and admission conditions. Bamboo will be launching a new 2X-weekly Ho Chi Minh City-Frankfurt service from June 16, adding to its current Hanoi-Frankfurt service. Thach says the immediate focus is to make the current routes profitable, which could be achieved by increasing frequencies. Further network expansion will depend on fleet growth. Management hopes Bamboo's investors can approve funds to increase its fleet to 100 aircraft over the next five years. Already flying three Boeing 787-9, Bamboo will get its fourth of the type by the end of 2022.<br/>