According to the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM), on the night and morning of October 7-10, Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi City) experienced prolonged heavy thunderstorms, reducing visibility to less than 1 km. Winds gusted up to level 7, and wind shear phenomena were observed on the runway.
Noi Bai Airport on October 7. Photo: VATM
The severe weather conditions directly impacted flight operations, prompting air traffic controllers to implement Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) measures. The airport’s capacity was reduced to 10-13 flights per hour, with periods dropping to just 5 flights per hour to ensure absolute safety.
As soon as thunderstorms hit Noi Bai, the Air Traffic Flow Management Center (VATM) convened an emergency meeting to decide on traffic flow adjustments. Notably, between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM, the airport’s intake capacity was reduced to 5 flights per hour. By midday, 17 flights were holding due to weather conditions, and 1 flight was diverted to an alternate airport.
Once weather conditions improved, flights resumed landing safely, and no further holding was required.
VATM’s air traffic control units, including the Hanoi Area Control Center (ACC Hanoi), Noi Bai Approach Control Center (APP Noi Bai), and Noi Bai Aeronautical Meteorological Center, collaborated closely. They continuously updated weather information to adjust operations, ensuring safe and uninterrupted flights while minimizing disruptions to schedules.
Air traffic control team at Noi Bai Airport. Photo: VATM
Approach control team working tirelessly to manage flights amid challenging weather conditions. Photo: VATM
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