Bamboo Airways expands despite global crisis
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the airline industry is one of those which have taken the hardest hit because of a drastic drop in air travel as well as lockdown orders being issued worldwide. Despite this, Vietnam’s Bamboo Airways is planning to expand its air routes from the current 40 to 85 by Quarter 4 of 2020.
This means Vietnamese will have more choices the next time they plan their overseas trip, especially to international destinations such as Germany and the US.
More varied destinations and competitive rates
Image credit: Bamboo Airways
From 40 air routes at the moment, Bamboo Airways is looking into expanding its total air routes to 85 by the end of this year, including 60 domestic destinations and 25 international destinations, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said.
Air fares among Jetstar, Bamboo Airways, Vietnam Airlines, and VietJet Air for the same flight route and date
Image credit: Google
To serve this purpose, Bamboo Airways is planning to order 60 engines from General Electric (GE).
According to Trinh Van Quyet, CEO of Bamboo Airways, Vietnamese people will be more open to flying again as the country continues to keep the coronavirus outbreak under control. The travel demand has also increased in the domestic market after the lockdown was lifted.
If more air routes open and result in increased competition among local airlines, travellers can expect lower air fares, more promotions, and upgrades in services of local airlines.
Bamboo Airways has 3 fare types, including Bamboo Eco, Bamboo Plus, and Bamboo Business, which are all pretty attractive.
Image credit: Bamboo Airways
Its highest airfare type for Bamboo Business passengers is in the same range with VietJet Air’s and about 30% lower than that of Vietnam Airlines.
Image credit: Vietnam Airlines
Its lowest fare type, Bamboo Eco, is about 10%-60% lower than that of VietJet Air and Vietnam Airlines.
A meal for Bamboo Business class passenger on Bamboo Airways
Image credit: Bamboo Airways
Bamboo Airways also serves a variety of Vietnamese food to cater to the palates of local passengers.
Bamboo Airlines – Vietnam’s youngest aviation brand
Founded in 2017 and starting its operations in 2019, Bamboo Airways is a Vietnamese airline owned by the FLC Group and based in Hanoi.
Image credit: Bamboo Airways
Bamboo Airways is currently operating 34 domestic air routes, scheduling up to 36 Ho Chi Minh City – Hanoi flights per day.
Bamboo Airways’ First Lounge at an airport
Image credit: Bamboo Airways
The airline also connects to 6 international destinations, such as Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, France, Germany, and the US.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, Bamboo Airways has had to reduce the number of flights and has reported a loss of over VND1.5 trillion, equivalent to USD64 million in the first months of 2020.
Still, it seeks to expand its operations because of the confidence Mr Quyet has in the aviation industry’s growth here.
Image credit: Bamboo Airways
Vietnam’s aviation industry
Vietnam is one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, with Tan Son Nhat and Noi Bai airport listed among world’s busiest air routes in 2019. Vietnam is also one of the few countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic who has reopened its airports and is encouraging domestic travel.
As new routes are introduced and competition in the aviation industry intensifies, local residents can look forward to travelling to more places and enjoying more customer-friendly policies from local airlines.
Check out:
- Saigon events in May and June 2020
- Vietnamese teachers invent ventilators for the treatment of COVID-19
- Ho Chi Minh City introduces cashless and online payments
Cover image adapted from: Bamboo Airways
Enjoying The Smart Local Vietnam? Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for more stories like this.