Minister of Transport apologises for VietJet Air scandal
VietJet Air crew suspended for changing destinationVietnam Civil Aviation Authority has suspended several people, including director of Middle Region Air Traffic Services Company, for allowing a near miss on the airport runway.

 Illustrative photo. A Jetstar Pacific and a Vietnam Airlines planes

On June 27, at Danang International Airport, a Jetstar Pacific plane was given permission to take off even though a Vietnam Airlines craft had not cleared the runway.

The instruction was cancelled 12 seconds after pilot of Vietnam Airlines had informed the tower that they were still on the runway. The one who made the instruction was an intern air traffic controller. The regular staff on duty in the control tower was less than required.

The Middle Region Air Traffic Services Company (MIRATS) now stands accused of violating regulations by letting an intern manage the runway and not having full staff on duty.

Phan Nho Quang, who was in charge of that shift, has also take responsibility for failing to report the incident or record it in the logs. The flight crew of Vietnam Airlines was also blamed for their slow response time.

Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority decided to withdraw Quang's license. Nguyen Quynh Anh, the intern who gave the instructions, will not be granted an air control license for at least one year, pending further training.

Vietnam Aviation Authority also requested that the director of MIRATS be suspended for 15 days while a review on his responsibility in the case is carried out. The deputy heads on the duty that day were reprimanded and will be dealt with.

Air traffic controllers across the country were warned and urged to tighten supervision and improve discipline at work.