The National Civil Aviation Security Committee has just ordered tightened management around airports after a series of laser beams were flashed at planes during landing at Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport.

A military plane saw laser light flashed near the south-west of Noi Bai Airport during training on June 2.

On June 11, the crew members of a Vietnam Airlines flight from Danang to Hanoi noticed a laser beam from 40km away from the airport. On the next day, the crew of Vietnam Airlines flight from Cam Ranh to Hanoi also saw laser light from five to six kilometres from the runway then the laser flashed into the cockpit. The plane landed safely.

On June 14, the laser light flashed on a Vietjet Air plane which was flying from HCM City to Hanoi. According to the crew, the light originated 27km away from the control tower at Noi Bai Airport.

Laser beams threaten flight safety

The police in Hanoi were asked to work with Vinh Yen and Vinh Phuc provinces, which are near the runways at Noi Bai Airport, to investigate. After hearing about the case, the authorities at Pleiku Airport also scanned the surrounding areas and attempted to raise public awareness about the dangers posed.

Dinh Viet Son, deputy head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, said "The laser light can blind the pilots and lead to loss of control over the plane. The beam can cause permanent eye damage too. Landing is important part of the flight and requires concentration from the pilots so flashing laser beams onto the plane is violating flight safety regulations."

The National Civil Aviation Security Committee has asked airports nationwide to tighten management, raise public awareness and deal with violators. According to Son, they knew that sometimes organisers held shows or events near airports and used laser beams but the areas were often empty when they arrived. They already asked agencies to tighten security in March.