Vietnam’s Bamboo signals major route, fleet readjustment

Vietnam carrier Bamboo Airways aims to sharply curtail its international operations, focusing on narrowbody aircraft and possibly exiting its long-haul network. The airline says it that it aims “to chart a new, suitable course” in 2023-24 that will see it operate only narrowbody aircraft, and focus on Vietnam domestic routes between the top three Vietnamese cities of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. It will also offer services on Southeast routes. “For the route network, Bamboo Airways has improved commercial efficiency by reducing the frequency of a number of inefficient routes with low passenger demand while increasing operation on routes recording high demand,” says the carrier. “This has enabled the airline to optimally meet market capacity and enhance the overall performance of its network.” The carrier does not state the routes it will cut, but Cirium schedules data for November 2023 suggests that Bamboo is poised to eliminate services to London Gatwick, Melbourne, and Seoul. For the time being it seems that the airline will retain long-haul services from Ho Chi Minh City to Frankfurt and Sydney. Bamboo’s fleet will also undergo major changes, though it offers no concrete details. It suggests, however, that it may exit widebody aircraft.<br/>