Vietnam’s Bamboo Airways has effectively stopped selling commercial tickets as of August 1, operating only a single Airbus A321 for limited charter work while the rest of its fleet sits grounded. The carrier has not filed for bankruptcy or announced a formal liquidation, but its scheduled network has shrunk from 44 aircraft to just three, with only one of those still flying.
The airline’s last scheduled service is set for August 22, and it has already begun unwinding routes, including suspending its Hanoi–Lijiang charter flights on August 1 after officials determined the route was no longer commercially viable. The shrinking fleet stems from ongoing disputes with aircraft lessors over delayed lease payments and outstanding debts that have built up over several years of financial strain.
Despite the near-total halt in operations, Bamboo’s management maintains it is not exiting the market for good. The company has laid out ambitions to add eight to ten aircraft a year between 2026 and 2030, aiming to eventually rebuild its fleet back toward 40 jets, and it had revived plans earlier this year to bring Boeing 787 widebodies into its long-haul lineup before the latest cash crunch intervened.
Travelers holding Bamboo Airways tickets should confirm booking status directly with the airline or their travel agent, since remaining charter capacity is extremely limited and refund processing has been inconsistent industry-wide during past Vietnamese carrier restructurings. Those connecting through Vietnam this month may want to price backup options on VietJet or Vietnam Airlines in case further schedule cuts follow.
Sources: Simple Flying, Aviation Source News
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