Summary
- 30 pilots have left Bamboo Airways in the past two months due to delayed wages, reflecting the airline’s financial struggles.
- Bamboo Airways is currently undergoing a major restructuring plan, including changes to its route network, fleet, and human resources.
- The airline has faced challenges such as travel restrictions during the pandemic, stiff competition, financial losses, and inconsistent leadership.
As many as 30 pilots have reportedly left Bamboo Airways in the last two months after delays in receiving their wages. The reports come as the Vietnamese carrier finds itself facing significant financial hardship.
Staff at the airline are understood to have faced frustrating pay delays in the past, although this is the first time that the issue has affected foreign pilots, who make up a large majority of the carrier’s 300-strong pilot community.
Photo: Duc Huy Nguyen / Shutterstock
Bamboo Airways is currently undergoing a major restructuring plan, which includes its route network, fleet, and human resources. In a statement to Reuters, the airline said that it had “reduced a number of pilot personnel recently to serve this goal,” although it denied that the late payment of salaries was the reason for the pilots leaving.
Turbulent times for Bamboo Airways
Since commencing operations in January 2019, Bamboo Airways has not had an easy ride. Vietnam’s travel restrictions throughout the pandemic were among some of the strictest in the world, and since then, the airline has faced stiff competition in the form of the rapidly expanding low-cost carrier, Vietjet.
Last year, Bamboo Airways posted a loss of 17.6 trillion dong ($722 million), and earlier this summer, rumors surfaced of the airline almost filing for bankruptcy protection. In addition to its financial woes, the airline has lacked consistent leadership, and its current CEO, Nguyen Ngoc Trong, was appointed in July 2023, when his predecessor resigned after just two months in the role.
Photo: Phuong D. Nguyen / Shutterstock
With its unique hybrid model, fitting somewhere between a full service carrier and low-cost carrier, Bamboo Airways has perhaps struggled to carve out a niche in what is an extremely competitive market. However, in a bid to quell any rumors, the airline issued a statement assuring that it was maintaining normal operations.
Vietnam’s third-largest airline
Bamboo Airways is the third-largest airline in Vietnam, with a 17% market share. Data from ch-aviation.com shows that the carrier currently has 30 aircraft in its fleet, including three Boeing 787-9s. The airline’s only widebody aircraft each seat 292–294 passengers in a three-class configuration.
The carrier has previously stated its intentions to boost the size of its fleet to 100 aircraft by 2028. In line with this plan, Bamboo Airways is awaiting delivery of another ten 787-9s and one Airbus A321, although beyond that, there are no further aircraft on order as yet.
Photo: Thanhliemnguyen / Shutterstock
From its hubs at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) and Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), Bamboo Airways operates an extensive domestic and regional network. The airline also flies to a limited number of long-haul destinations – London Gatwick (LGW), Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), and Frankfurt (FRA), although the London service will end on October 25th.
What do you think of the reports of pilots leaving Bamboo Airways following delays in their salary payments? Have you flown with the airline? Share your thoughts and experiences by commenting below.
Sources: Reuters, ch-aviation.com