2 flights diverted after suspected drone spotted near Vietnam's Cat Bi airport

The Cat Bi Approach Control Center said it received a report from military forces at around 7:23 pm on Wednesday about a glowing airborne object about eight kilometers from the center in the direction of the airport.

Air traffic controllers immediately alerted relevant units and adjusted flight operations to ensure safety.

Three flights were affected.

Two inbound flights were instructed to hold at the HODOL holding point before their crews requested diversion to Noi Bai.

Another flight preparing to depart Cat Bi had to remain on the apron.

The incident came amid a series of recent drone and flycam sightings near Vietnamese airports.

On August 30, a surveillance system at Noi Bai detected a flycam flying at an altitude of 92 meters over Quang Minh Industrial Park, about 4.5 kilometers from the airport.

Its operator said the device was being used to monitor construction progress at a factory. Police seized the flycam and referred the case to local authorities.

Noi Bai’s 360-degree drone surveillance system can detect flying objects within a 10-kilometer radius and operate around the clock.

Earlier, on August 11, repeated drone sightings near Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City forced the airport to suspend takeoffs and landings twice for more than two hours.

More than 100 flights were affected, with preliminary losses estimated at around VND60 billion.

The Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation said drones or unidentified flying objects near runways can pose serious risks to aircraft.

Flights may be ordered to hold, alter course, divert to another airport, or delay departure until safety is restored.

The corporation has called for stronger measures to detect and prevent unauthorized drone and flycam operations near airports to minimize disruptions to passengers and airlines.