Thick fog prevents takeoffs, landings at Noi Bai airport

By Doan Loan February 1, 2024 | 05:11 pm PT

Thick fog at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi on the morning of Feb. 2, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Phuong Linh

Thick fog over Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport on Friday morning delayed the takeoff or landing of many flights while at least six had to be diverted to other airports.

A spokesperson for the airport said the fog and low clouds affected pilots’ visibility.

Six domestic flights scheduled to land in Noi Bai between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. had to be diverted to Cat Bi airport in Hai Phong City.

An international flight had to return to its origin airport as Noi Bai did not allow flights to land until 4:30 a.m.

Many flights leaving other airports for Hanoi had to be delayed.

Thick fog over Noi Bai airport runway on Feb. 2, 2024. Photo by Phuong Linh

The spokesperson said the airport is often affected by thick fog in February and March, and it could endanger flight safety though it is equipped with lights and other equipment to reduce the number of flights affected by weather conditions.