Thick fog limits visibility at Nội Bài Airport on February 2. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Various measures in weather forecasting, air traffic flow management and flight operations have been taken by the Việt Nam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) to cope with the thick fog and low cloud cover at northern localities’ airports over the past few days.

According to VATM, in early February, thick fog at Nội Bài International Airport in Hà Nội reduced the visibility to under 300m, which has occurred only three times in the past 10 years, and affected landings and take-offs.

The corporation has applied Low Visibility Procedures at Nội Bài Airport which aim to ensure safety, regulation and efficiency for all flight operations at the airport when visibility drops below normal operating standards.

The procedures require technical standards for equipment and air traffic controllers, while pilots must be highly qualified and approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Việt Nam.

The Air Traffic Flow Regulation Procedure in adverse weather conditions has also been applied. This is one of the air traffic flow management measures to balance flight operations demand and operational capacity at the airport when bad weather occurs.

The corporation has worked with the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting to strengthen efficiency in weather forecasting, especially in times when bad weather phenomena often occur, affecting flight operations.

Nguyễn Đình Công, VATM deputy general director, said the corporation would continue to research and coordinate with relevant agencies and units to improve service quality to prevent, limit and minimise negative weather impacts on flight operations.

According to the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, foggy weather is forecast to re-occur until February 8 from night till early morning.

In a related move, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam required airlines to monitor weather developments and coordinate closely with airports, air traffic management centres, regional flight management companies and other aviation service agencies, to have appropriate plans for conditions of thick fog and low cloud cover.

Those units must prepare backup plans in case of flight schedule changes due to weather conditions.

The authority also asked the Airports Corporation of Vietnam and airports affected by the fog to mobilise more forces in charge of service and operation at the airports, and coordinate with airlines to apply solutions in case of flight schedule changes. — VNS​