Vietnam aviation entities conduct UAV response drill

Vietnam Airlines, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), and the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) conducted a joint simulation exercise, codenamed 3A. 2026, to respond to unauthorized Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or drone intrusions at Noi Bai International Airport.

The drill was prompted by a rise in drone-related incidents. In the first seven months of 2026, the aviation industry recorded 22 incidents directly affecting operations and 18 potential risks. Recent unauthorized UAV appearances at Tan Son Nhat International Airport on August 11 and 13 forced multiple flight disruptions, including diversions and holding patterns.

The simulation tested inter-agency coordination, information sharing, and decision-making processes. Scenarios involved UAVs appearing during peak hours, impacting airspace, runways, terminals, and ground services. The exercise aimed to evaluate how VATM manages air traffic, how ACV handles airport operations, and how airlines adjust flight schedules and passenger services during such emergencies. To ensure safety, all simulation data was kept separate from real-time commercial flight systems.