Man arrested after kite-flying incident disrupts 16 flights at Ho Chi Minh City airport

The man was identified as Than Van Tan, a resident of Binh Tan Ward.

The incident occurred on the evening of August 13.

At around 7:40 pm, the flight management and operations center No. 3 under the 370th Air Force Division notified the Southern Airports Authority after detecting airborne objects in the area around Tham Luong Bridge, covering parts of Tay Thanh, Dong Hung Thuan, and Binh Hung Hoa Wards.

The area is subject to a no-fly restriction associated with the operation of Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Upon receiving the alert, the authority notified the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Security, the city’s Military Command, police at the airport, and the airport operator to join hands to identify and locate the airborne objects.

Aircraft arrivals were temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure to ensure flight safety.

At around 8:15 pm, authorities determined that the airborne objects were kites.

The kites were then removed, eliminating the threat to aviation safety, and normal airport operations subsequently resumed.

Meanwhile, police deployed forces to search and narrow down the suspected area.

Officers quickly found Tan flying kites fitted with flashing lights near a bridge and a road under construction as part of the Tham Luong-Ben Cat-Nuoc Len canal project in Binh Hung Hoa Ward.

Two other people who were with Tan were taken to police headquarters for verification.

Investigators determined that Tan had arrived at an open area within a metro station project in Dong Hung Thuan Ward at around 3:00 pm that day, carrying three kites equipped with flashing lights.

He initially flew two kites near the head of a bridge in Dong Hung Thuan Ward.

At around 4:00 pm, one kite broke and fell, prompting him to replace it with another.

Tan later moved the kites toward the bridge area in Binh Hung Hoa Ward and continued flying them at high altitude.

Authorities determined through coordinated verification that all the locations where Tan flew the kites were within restricted airspace around Tan Son Nhat International Airport, where unmanned aircraft and ultralight flying vehicles are prohibited.

Police said Tan’s actions directly and seriously affected airport operations, forcing authorities to temporarily suspend aircraft arrivals to ensure aviation safety.

Initial investigations found that the incident affected 16 flights at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and caused losses estimated at billions of Vietnamese dong.

Police issued a stern warning to the public against flying kites, balloons or sky lanterns, or operating drones, flycams or any other airborne objects in prohibited or restricted airspace without authorization from competent authorities.

Individuals, businesses, and organizations conducting recreational activities involving airborne objects are required to familiarize themselves with and strictly comply with aviation safety regulations.

Violations that affect aviation security and safety would be investigated and dealt with strictly.

Police also urge residents to promptly report any unusual kite-flying or operation of airborne objects near airports, runways and restricted airspace to the nearest police or relevant authorities.

US$1 ≈ VND26,060