Vietnam Aviation Sector Stages UAV Response Drill at Noi Bai After Recent Disruptions

Vietnam Airlines joined the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) and Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) on August 25 for the 3A.2026 simulation exercise at Noi Bai International Airport. The drill focused on an unauthorized unmanned aerial vehicle entering an area where it could directly affect flight operations.

The scenario assumed a drone appeared during a busy operating period, creating a chain of risks across approach airspace, runways, aircraft stands, terminal operations and airline schedules. Teams were required to receive and verify information quickly, share it across organizations and assess the level of risk before operational decisions were made.

The main exercise ran from 2:00 p.m. to 5:05 p.m. using simulated video, flight data and operational scenarios kept separate from live airport systems. Normal flight operations at Noi Bai therefore continued without disruption during the drill.

VATM was responsible for managing air traffic flow and coordinating control units, while ACV handled airside, stand and terminal operations. Vietnam Airlines tested contingency measures covering schedule changes, fleet and crew arrangements, alternate airports and passenger assistance in the event of holding, diversions or delays.

Figures released during the exercise showed that Vietnam recorded 22 UAV incidents that directly affected aviation operations in the first seven months of 2026, along with 18 additional cases considered potential risks. Recent disruptions at Tan Son Nhat in August, where take-offs and landings had to be suspended more than once, underlined that unauthorized drones are now a real operational concern rather than a theoretical scenario.

For passengers, even a short airport suspension can trigger holding patterns, diversions, delayed departures and wider knock-on disruption. The purpose of 3A.2026 was therefore not only to strengthen safety procedures, but also to shorten decision-making time and restore normal airport operations more efficiently.

The participating organizations will use the exercise results to review procedures, communication channels, decision authority and future training. As Vietnam’s aviation market continues to expand, coordinated response to drones near airports will become increasingly important for both flight safety and schedule reliability.