Flashing Object Near Cat Bi Airport Forces Three Flights to Divert

A flashing airborne object near Cat Bi International Airport forced three flights to divert to Noi Bai Airport on the evening of September 2, disrupting operations at two of Vietnam’s airports.

Cat Bi’s approach control center received information from military forces at 7:23 p.m. about a luminous object roughly 8 kilometers from the airport center, in the direction of the airport. Controllers alerted the relevant agencies and activated procedures designed to protect flight safety.

The airport’s runway safety working group coordinated with the Hai Phong Military Command, local military commands and police to trace the object. By about 8:35 p.m., the search had found no further signs of it. After reviewing the situation, the group’s leader notified member units that Cat Bi was safe to receive aircraft. Operations returned to normal at about 9:35 p.m.

The incident sent three flights to Noi Bai for landing and delayed some departures from Tan Son Nhat International Airport and Cat Bi. The Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation said an airborne object in the area could affect takeoffs and landings and pose a risk to aviation safety. Air traffic management units monitored the situation and coordinated appropriate measures before restoring normal operations.

The incident followed earlier disruptions involving suspected drones and illegally illuminated kites near Tan Son Nhat in August. Similar suspected airborne objects were also reported repeatedly near Noi Bai and Cat Bi in early June. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has proposed clearer responsibility for agencies operating around airports when unauthorized drones enter prohibited or restricted airspace and affect civil aviation.