Bamboo Airways has appointed Oshima Hideki as its chairman of its board of directors.

The information was released at its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) held on Wednesday. The AGM also selected seven new board members for the period of 2023-28.

With close to 40 years of aviation expertise, the new chairman has held key executive roles such as former Deputy General Director of Japan Airlines, Deputy General Director of Narita Airport and project manager at Haneda Airport.

Speaking at the AGM, Oshima Hideki underlined the importance of safety in aviation, followed by providing quality service to passengers.

He added that happiness and wellbeing of employees, especially frontline staff, is of the utmost importance. Therefore, he will strive to support staff to promote teamwork throughout the company, including in its leadership.

He believes each employee is accountable for the costs associated with their own department that their efficiency will be key to increasing profitability. He wants to cultivate this business culture at Bamboo Airways.

Bamboo Airways is expected to operate a fleet of 30 to 36 aircraft by the end of this year, maintaining an average seat occupancy rate of 81.5 per cent, and a punctuality rate of 90 per cent. Revenue from passengers and freight transport this year is expected to grow by 15-20 per cent compared with 2022. Last year, the airline recorded a net revenue of VND11.7 trillion (US$498 million).

The airline plans to continue maintaining a domestic route network connecting all 22 domestic airports and expanding routes to target international markets in Europe, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia.

In addition, Bamboo Airways is building an aviation ecosystem that includes establishing air cargo companies, ground service companies, aeronautical engineering companies, and airline catering companies. The leadership continues to restructure the organisation and consolidate human resources.

The company said that all solutions this year are aimed at the medium-term goal of adding additional international flight routes and improving service standards, thereby making Bamboo Airways a leading airline in Asia and the world. — VNS