The airport recorded several unauthorised unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sightings on February 17 and February 22 (the first and sixth days of the Lunar New Year), posing serious aviation safety risks and forcing temporary operational adjustments.

At 02:16 on February 17, flight HVN112 reported spotting a drone at approximately 1,158m. Later that morning at 07:28, flight N125YU observed another drone to the left of the aircraft at about 366m.

The two incidents on February 17 directly affected 30 flights, according to airport authorities.

On February 22 at 04:07, flight VJC720 en route from Da Nang to Vinh reported a drone to the right of the aircraft at roughly 518m. The incident disrupted 19 additional flights, including nine departures temporarily held on the ground and 10 aircraft instructed to enter holding patterns in the air.

Operations later returned to normal after coordination with air traffic management units.

Upon receiving reports, airport authorities immediately notified relevant agencies, instructed inbound aircraft to enter holding patterns and delayed departures. Conditional takeoff and landing clearances were also applied to ensure safety.

Da Nang International Airport said it has submitted detailed reports to the Da Nang municipal authorities and called for a full investigation into the illegal drone operations during the Tet travel peak.

To prevent further incidents, the airport has urged the city administration, local police, the city’s Military Command and Air Defence Division 375 to strengthen airspace surveillance over restricted zones and Da Nang Bay.

Authorities also requested intensified public awareness campaigns in neighbourhoods surrounding the airport and along approach paths to ensure compliance with Vietnam’s air defence and aviation safety regulations.

The airport further recommended tighter state management over the production, import, sale, rental and operation of drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles.

During the Tet holiday, Da Nang International Airport handled an average of 310 to 340 domestic and international flights per day.

Tan Son Nhat Airport handles nearly 170,000 passengers on fifth day of Tet

VOV.VN - Tan Son Nhat International Airport is expected to reach one of its busiest days of the Lunar New Year (Tet) travel season on February 21, the fifth day of Tet, with nearly 170,000 passengers traveling through the airport.