Tan Son Nhat Airport flights disrupted by kites with flashing lights

Tan Son Nhat International Airport flight disruptions unidentified flying objects kites with flashing lights air traffic control

Flight operations at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City experienced significant disruptions on the evening of August 13 due to unidentified flying objects. Between 20:20 and 20:30, multiple incoming and outgoing flights were unable to take off or land.

Several aircraft, including flight EK392 from Dubai, VN141 from Da Nang, and VJ395 from Pleiku, were forced to circle in the air while waiting for landing clearance. Air traffic control implemented a Ground Stop (GST) for flights departing from other airports destined for Tan Son Nhat, while other departing flights were held at their origin airports.

Authorities identified the objects as three kites equipped with flashing lights, spotted at an altitude of approximately 400 meters in the Tay Thanh ward area, roughly 3 to 4 kilometers from the airport. Operations returned to normal once the aviation risk was ruled out. This incident followed previous reports of drone sightings near the airport on August 11.