Speaking to Dantri/Dtinews, a representative of Dien Bien Airport said that they had to cancel five flights on Saturday and six on Sunday due to low visibility.
"Only one flight operated by Vietnam Airlines from Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport managed to land at the airport on Saturday," the airport said. Another flight from HCM City arrived just 10 minutes later but had to be diverted to Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi for landing due to poor visibility. The Vietnam Airlines plane was also unable to take off for Noi Bai Airport until late Sunday afternoon."
Dien Bien Airport suffered the same weather on Sunday, affecting six flights scheduled for that day.
According to the airport, low visibility was caused by smog from the burning of straw stubble by local farmers. The problem often occurs between late March and early May.
It is forecasted that the problem will continue for the coming days.
The upgrade project of Dien Bien Airport was completed late last year and the airport can now handle A320 and A321 planes.
