Thick fog prevents takeoffs, landings at Noi Bai airport

A representative of the international airport said thick fog and low clouds have affected pilots’ visibility.

Six domestic flights to Noi Bai had to land at Cat Bi airport in nearby Hai Phong between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., while an international flight had to turn back, as the airport stopped receiving airplanes until 4:30 a.m.

Many flights from other domestic airports to Noi Bai had to delay taking off.

Thick fog over Noi Bai airport runway on Feb. 2, 2024. Photo by Phuong Linh

The Noi Bai’s representative said the airport is often affected by thick fog in February and March, so Friday morning situation was not unusual. But it can undermine flight safety.

The airport has been equipped with lights and other equipment to reduce the number of flights affected by fog or other weather conditions in recent years, the manager said.