Vietnamese Government Directs Resolution of Challenges Faced by Bamboo Airways

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai has instructed relevant ministries and agencies to address proposals put forth by local airline Bamboo Airways in order to alleviate its current challenges.

Deputy PM Khai acknowledged the airline’s brand development, provision of high-quality services, and the establishment of customer trust, despite being a relatively new carrier, as outlined in the Government Office’s statement on the deputy prime minister’s conclusions during a review meeting of the airline’s proposals.

Nevertheless, Bamboo Airways is encountering several difficulties, including debts to customers and the state budget, according to the official.

In response, the government has tasked the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Public Security, the State Bank of Vietnam, and the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises to assist Bamboo Airways in overcoming these challenges and report the outcomes to the prime minister by the end of this year.

Concurrently, the airline is required to conduct a thorough review and develop a restructuring plan that aligns with the current realities.

Back in August this year, the Government Office communicated Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s request to relevant ministries and agencies to support Bamboo Airways.

Operating a fleet of 10 aircraft on 16 domestic air routes, the airline intends to add two more aircraft to cater to passengers during the Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet, in February 2024.

However, during a recent meeting with the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, a leader from Bamboo Airways disclosed that hundreds of its pilots and flight attendants were laid off following a reduction in two-thirds of its fleet.