Ho Chi Minh City police report 122 flight regulation violations

Ho Chi Minh City Police have reported 122 violations of flight regulations between August 27 and September 2. Authorities seized various drones, flycams, and other unmanned aerial vehicles during this period. To combat these infractions, police are combining digital technology with physical patrols to identify unauthorized flights in restricted areas.

The police have identified 63 wards and communes within the city that fall under no-fly zones. They have advised citizens to consult the Ministry of National Defence information portal to check for restricted areas before operating any flying devices.

Unauthorized objects in restricted airspace pose significant risks to aviation safety and commercial flight operations. A notable incident occurred on August 13, when Than Van Tan, 42, flew a kite with flashing lights near Tan Son Nhat International Airport. This caused the Southern Air Traffic Management Center to suspend landings, affecting 16 flights and forcing some to divert to backup airports. Consequently, authorities have prosecuted Tan for ‘obstructing air traffic’ and placed him in temporary detention.