Vietnam’s Bamboo Airways said that it will undergo a restructuring of its aircraft fleet starting October 2023 to increase efficiency and optimize operating costs.
“The restructuring process aims to stabilize Bamboo Airways’ operations and further growth opportunities,” the airline said in a statement sent to Reuters, adding that it aims to “increase the uniformity of aircraft types in the long run”, without elaborating further.
The self-described “5-star oriented” airline also said it had agreed to adjust a cooperation agreement with an unidentified leasing company, adding this was a temporary step.
While the carrier did not elaborate on specific details, Vietnamese media VnExpress said in a report that the restructuring will involve downsizing the aircraft fleet.
When it was founded in 2017, Bamboo Airways said that it will follow a “hybrid airline” model, meaning it will operate with a low-cost business model but focus on offering a high standard of service.
Unlike other Vietnamese carriers that operate solely using an Airbus fleet, Bamboo Airways flies three different aircraft types – Boeing, Airbus and Embraer. This involves additional costs in terms of hiring pilots, technicians and training instructors.
In September 2023, Reuters reported that Bamboo Airways has been struggling to pay its pilots, and that around 30 foreign pilots left between July and August 2023, which is more than 10% of the airline’s total pilot staff in June 2023.
According to specialist websites Airfleets.net and Planespotters.net, Bamboo Airways’ current aircraft fleet includes Airbus A320, Airbus A321, Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Embraer ERJ-190 jets.