Under Decree No. 215 on aviation security, recently issued by the government, passengers may be prohibited from air travel for security-related violations, according to Article 21 of the regulation.
Airline staff guide passengers through check-in procedures at Terminal 1 of Tan Son Nhat Airport (Photo: Ngoc Tan).
The decree stipulates flight bans ranging from three to 12 months for passengers who cause disturbances, make threats involving bombs, mines or explosive materials, or deliberately spread false information about explosives that disrupt normal civil aviation operations.
Passengers who use forged documents to board aircraft or violate laws related to public order and safety at airports or on board aircraft may also face flight bans of between three and 12 months.
Individuals who repeat such offences after having already been sanctioned will be subject to longer bans of between 12 and 24 months.
The same penalty applies to those found guilty of unlawful interference in civil aviation activities.
The decree also introduces permanent flight bans for individuals who continue to commit violations after being punished, as well as those involved in aircraft hijacking, airport riots or attacks targeting air traffic management facilities.
Flight ban decisions will apply to all domestic flights and all international flights departing from Vietnam, regardless of whether they are operated by Vietnamese or foreign airlines.
Depending on the nature and severity of the offence, Vietnam's Immigration Department will have the authority to impose either temporary or permanent transport bans on offenders.
In addition to enforcement measures, Decree No. 215 includes provisions on aviation security fees for children.
Children under the age of two travelling by air will be exempt from ticket charges, while children aged between two and under 12 will receive a 50 per cent reduction in aviation security fees compared with adult passengers.
The decree will take effect on July 1.
