Laser lights and drones cause 20% of safety threats at HCMC airport

Data revealed at a mid-year safety review conference for Tan Son Nhat airport’s runway operations in the first half of this year, held last week, shows that around 20% of safety risk incidents during takeoff and landing were due to cockpit exposure to laser beams or the presence of drones.

According to the National Civil Aviation Security Committee, shining laser beams at aircraft during takeoff and landing can cause eye injuries to pilots. The lights can disorient pilots, causing them to lose control temporarily and severely threatening aviation safety.

This issue has been ongoing for several years and is increasing, not only at Tan Son Nhat but also at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, Chu Lai airport in central Quang Nam Province, and others.

As per existing laws, this behavior is prohibited and can result in fines of VND30-40 million per violation.

At the same time, the illegal use of drones in Ho Chi Minh City, however, is also becoming more common, particularly around Tan Son Nhat.

To prevent these incidents, Dang Ngoc Cuong, Director of Tan Son Nhat International Airport, has requested that the Ho Chi Minh City Command report to the Ministry of National Defense for the early implementation of a map detailing no-fly and restricted flight zones in the city, especially in aircraft landing approach areas.

Apart from the above issues, Tan Son Nhat airport recorded several other safety risk incidents in the first half of this year. The highest percentage, about 55%, involved aircraft rolling past the stop line when taxiing into parking areas.

Other incidents included aircraft violating safe taxiing distances (about 10%) and ground service vehicles and equipment colliding with aircraft, causing damage and requiring cessation of operations (6.3%).

Tan Son Nhat is the largest airport in the country, averaging around 600 flights per day, with peak days exceeding 900 flights.

In the first half of this year, the total number of passengers through the airport reached over 20.2 million, a 0.23% increase compared to the same period in 2023, with approximately 122,798 takeoffs and landings.