London’s Gatwick Airport to gain new Asia flights

The West Sussex hub’s long-haul route map is set for further growth this year.

Bamboo Airways is poised to connect Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam with London/Gatwick from December 7.

Set to begin at an initial weekly frequency the airline – which was established in 2017 – will roster its fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners that feature business, premium economy and economy class seating options.

According to the parties, travellers will be able to connect to onward destinations through Bamboo Airways across Vietnam and further afield including Australia, Singapore and Thailand.

The development came as Bamboo Airways prepares to launch its inaugural Gatwick services – from the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi – on October 30.

**London/Gatwick's iconic Pier 6 bridge is seen behind the ATC tower** Gatwick Airport Limited

Bamboo Airways currently fields a trio of Boeing 787-9s including VN-A819 (c/n 62736), Ha Long Bay. These complement the airline's narrowbody contingent of Airbus A320 Family and Embraer E-Jet examples Bamboo Airways

Stephanie Wear, VP of aviation development, Gatwick Airport, said: “It is fantastic news that Bamboo Airways is already expanding its operation from Gatwick, ahead of its inaugural flight next month [October 30]. Bamboo’s excellent network means passengers can now explore the wonderful Ho Chi Minh City, as well as more widely across Asia and Australia.”

Thach Pierre Hoang, acting chief commercial officer of Bamboo Airways, added: "With this new route operating ahead of Christmas and New year 2023, Bamboo Airways hopes to meet the high travel demands of Vietnamese communities in the UK wishing to come back home for a holiday, while also creating favourable conditions to enhance bilateral cooperation and the development of economic, trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries in the post-pandemic period."