According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, the first quarter of the year is typically when northern airports experience severe disruptions due to dense fog. This phenomenon limits visibility, leading to numerous flight delays and affecting airline operations and passenger service quality.
Dense Fog Causes Flight Delays
On January 24, dense fog severely impacted air traffic at several northern airports. Many flights were forced to divert or wait for clearance, causing delays and cascading effects on other flights throughout the day.
Specifically, from 1:30 AM to 9:00 AM on January 24, Vietnam Airlines reported that five flights bound for Vinh Airport (Nghe An) had to divert to Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi). Additionally, four other flights were delayed, impacting subsequent schedules.
Heavy fog at Noi Bai International Airport on February 2, 2024
Airlines Respond to Dense Fog
VietJet Air also faced similar issues. One flight to Vinh Airport and another to Tho Xuan Airport (Thanh Hoa) had to divert to Noi Bai International Airport. Additionally, five other flights were delayed, causing further disruptions.
To assist passengers, airlines provided shuttle buses to transport passengers from Noi Bai International Airport to Vinh and Thanh Hoa, ensuring convenience and safety.
Forecast of Continuing Fog
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam predicts that dense fog will persist in the northern region in the coming days. This could affect flights to and from airports like Noi Bai, Tho Xuan, Vinh, and Hai Phong.
The authority has requested airlines to promptly update passengers on any delays or changes. Airlines are also urged to provide attentive and courteous service and fulfill their obligations to passengers.
Ensuring Safety During the Tet Holiday Peak
With the primary goal of ensuring safety during each flight, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam will continue to closely monitor the situation and coordinate with relevant agencies to address any issues promptly during the high-demand Tet holiday period in 2025.
Dense fog poses a significant challenge to aviation, especially during peak periods like Tet. However, with careful preparation and close collaboration among units, it is hoped that flights will be conducted safely and smoothly.
