Vietnam Aviation Authority Warns of Drone and Kite Threats to Airport Safety

Vietnam's Civil Aviation Administration has issued an urgent warning regarding the growing threat posed by drones and kites to flight safety at Noi Bai and Cat Bi airports. The agency reported multiple incidents between June 6 and 7 where unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other flying objects disrupted airport operations.

During these two days, Noi Bai International Airport experienced significant disruptions. On June 6, activities from a drone forced 8 departing flights to hold their positions and 20 arriving flights to circle, causing delays. The following day, kite flying near the runway led to another 7 departing flights being held.

Cat Bi International Airport in Hai Phong also reported disruptions, with 3 flights affected. One departing flight was delayed, and two arriving flights had to be diverted to a backup airport. Relevant authorities responded by activating safety measures to track the objects and temporarily halting flights to ensure safety.

The Civil Aviation Administration expressed concern that such incidents could recur, especially during peak travel seasons like summer holidays when increased kite-flying activities are anticipated. They have requested the Ministry of Construction to issue directives to provincial authorities near airports. These directives would emphasize public awareness campaigns about government regulations on managing UAVs and other flying objects, as well as the risks they pose to aviation safety in restricted airspace.

Furthermore, the administration proposed enhanced inter-agency coordination with the Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of Defense to establish clear points of contact for receiving and processing information on unauthorized flying objects. They also suggested that the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Industry and Trade review import and sales regulations for drones to tighten control and prevent misuse, particularly near airports.