Vietnam extends airport closures, cancels 400 flights to avoid typhoon Yagi's impact

Noi Bai International Airport will remain closed until midnight on Saturday, instead of reopening at 9 p.m. as previously decided. The authority had earlier extended the closure of Noi Bai airport by two hours from 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Van Don Airport in Quang Ninh Province, home to UNESCO heritage site Ha Long Bay, and Cat Bi Airport in port city Hai Phong had also extended their service suspension until 8 p.m. on Saturday, instead of the initially planned 4 p.m.

Planes are seen grounded at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi on Sept. 7, 2024. Photo courtesy of Noi Bai International Airport

The three airports and Tho Xuan in Thanh Hoa Province suspended their services on Saturday, forcing around 400 flights to be canceled. National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines alone has had to cancel 34 domestic and international flights and adjust the schedules of 78 others.

Authorities have instructed airports to prepare personnel and equipment to respond to the storm and possible flooding afterwards.

Hanoi also suspended train, metro and public bus services on Saturday.

Typhoon Yagi made landfall in Quang Ninh at around noon Saturday, packing winds of 149 km per hour, before moving towards Hanoi and lashing the capital city for several hours.