Unmanned aerial vehicles have caused significant disruption to Vietnam Airlines, resulting in estimated losses of VND 5.6 billion (about USD 220,000) and affecting around 9,200 passengers in just one week in late February.
The figures were disclosed by Ho Minh Tan, deputy head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, at a meeting on March 17 reviewing drone activity near airports and coordination in response to aviation safety incidents.
Authorities have received repeated reports from the Airports Corporation of Vietnam and Vietnam Air Traffic Management of illegal drone operations in restricted airspace near Danang International Airport and Cat Bi International Airport.
According to Vietnam Airlines, disruptions linked to drones between February 17 and 24 led to substantial operational and financial impacts.
At Cat Bi International Airport on March 15, a flight crew detected an unidentified drone near the approach path, briefly disrupting operations. Four inbound flights were diverted to Noi Bai International Airport, while two outbound flights were delayed.
Following the incident, Cat Bi airport activated emergency procedures and coordinated with military and police forces to trace the drone. Operations resumed after the airspace was declared safe.
Participants at the meeting called for clearer criteria on when to suspend or restrict operations after drone sightings and when to lift alerts. They also urged stronger inter-agency coordination, tougher penalties and improved systems to detect and respond to drone intrusions.
Tan noted that the Ministry of Construction has urged defence, public security and local authorities to strengthen measures to address drone-related threats to aviation safety.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam also warned the public not to fly kites, drones or other aerial objects near airports, particularly along flight paths, as they pose serious safety risks and can disrupt operations.
