According to air traffic control information, around 19:40, Tan Son Nhat Approach Control Center detected an object suspected to be an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the Tham Luong bridge area, bordering district 12 and the former Tan Phu district. At that time, its exact position and altitude were not yet determined. Relevant units continued to exchange and cross-reference information to verify the incident.
By almost 20:02, Tan Son Nhat Air Traffic Control Tower received further reports of a flying object in Tay Thanh ward, former Tan Phu district, an area adjacent to Tan Son Nhat. To ensure safety, the Southern Airports Authority subsequently informed the Air Traffic Control Tower, requesting a temporary suspension of takeoffs and landings at Tan Son Nhat from 20:05.
Related units then investigated further and identified the flying objects as three kites with flashing lights in Tay Thanh ward, at an altitude of approximately 400 m, about 2.5 km from the airport. This location falls within the flight safety zone around Tan Son Nhat, an area approximately 5 km wide and 15 km long. After the issue was resolved, operations at Tan Son Nhat resumed at 20:18. The entire resolution process lasted over 30 minutes.
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The area where the kites were detected is about 2.5 km from the airport. *Graphic: Hoang Thanh* |
The incident caused four flights at Tan Son Nhat to be held for departure, seven arriving flights to enter holding patterns, and one flight to be diverted to Cam Ranh Airport (Khanh Hoa).
A representative from an airline stated that when aircraft are forced to hold or divert, in addition to fuel, the airline incurs extra costs for assisting affected passengers, rebooking tickets, ground services, and operational management.
The incident resolution involved many units, including: the Air Traffic Control Tower, Tan Son Nhat Approach Control Center, Southern Airports Authority, Airport Duty Officer, and Area Control Center 3.
Tan Son Nhat is located within TP HCM, and its flight operations are frequently affected by UAVs, kites, and laser pointers. Most recently, on 11/8, UAVs twice intruded into the restricted zone, causing over 100 flights to be delayed or have their departure times changed, affecting more than 10,000 passengers.
Beyond Tan Son Nhat, many other airports have also been affected by flying objects near operational areas. In June, an unmanned aerial vehicle near Noi Bai caused 16 flights to be delayed.
Earlier, in March, a UAV appeared near Cat Bi Airport’s landing approach area, disrupting operations for about four hours and forcing four flights to divert to Noi Bai. Da Nang Airport has also reported numerous instances of UAVs appearing in its flight paths.
According to Decree 123/2021 and 17/2026, individuals flying kites or operating UAVs (including drones and flycams) in restricted airspace, thereby affecting aviation activities, can face fines of up to 40 million VND.
Giang Anh
