HÀ NỘI — Bamboo Airways maintained one of the highest on-time performance rates in the aviation industry in January, underscoring stable operations as passenger demand surges ahead of the Tết (Lunar New Year) travel peak.

The carrier recorded an on-time departure rate of 85.7 per cent in the first month of 2026, up 1.4 percentage points year on year and significantly higher than the industry average of 71.1 per cent, according to sector statistics. The overall industry figure improved by 11.1 percentage points compared to the same period last year.

Bamboo Airways also posted one of the lowest cancellation rates in the market, with only one cancelled flight during the month, while the industry average cancellation rate stood at 0.5 per cent, unchanged from January 2025.

The Lunar New Year period is traditionally the busiest time for Việt Nam’s aviation sector, as travel demand spikes sharply within a short timeframe, particularly on major domestic routes and during peak hours. This year, passenger volumes are forecast to grow by double digits, potentially setting a new record during the 2026 Tết holiday.

Major airports including Tân Sơn Nhất, Nội Bài and Đà Nẵng have already been operating at high capacity as travellers return home or plan spring getaways.

To prepare for the rush, Bamboo Airways opened Tết ticket sales early and ramped up capacity across its domestic network, offering hundreds of thousands of additional seats. The airline has focused on high-demand routes such as HCM City–Hà Nội, HCM City–Đà Nẵng as well as services linking major cities with provincial destinations to facilitate holiday travel.

Since commencing commercial operations in 2019, Bamboo Airways has consistently ranked among the top domestic carriers for punctuality, including during peak travel periods. Maintaining strong on-time performance in 2026, despite growing passenger numbers and continued infrastructure constraints at key airports, reflects the airline’s efforts to stabilise operations and enhance flight management, the carrier said.

The results are expected to help ensure smoother journeys for passengers during the holiday season, when timely departures carry particular importance, while reinforcing the airline’s focus on safety, reliability and service quality.

Looking beyond the holiday peak, Bamboo Airways is accelerating expansion plans this year as part of its long-term recovery strategy. The carrier aims to add between eight and 10 aircraft annually to gradually restore its fleet size and route network.

At the same time, the airline is stepping up recruitment and training, particularly for cabin crew, to support operational growth. Recruitment drives will be conducted regularly throughout 2026.

A representative of Bamboo Airways said the hiring process would be conducted transparently and directly, without intermediaries, to ensure equal opportunities for applicants. Successful candidates will undergo comprehensive professional training in line with the airline’s standards and industry regulations.

The move is expected to strengthen service quality and maintain the hospitality-driven brand identity that the airline has sought to build as it prepares for the next phase of development. — VNS