Workers collect foreign objects and debris every day at the Nội Bài International Airport in Hà Nội. —  Photo courtesy of the Nội Bài International Airport

HÀ NỘI — The Nội Bài International Airport (NIA) emphasised that controlling foreign objects and debris at the airport was one of its top priorities, especially on the runways during takeoff and landing.

This task was carried out daily, it said.

This statement follows a recent directive from the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) regarding the control of foreign objects and debris on runways, taxiways, and flying areas at two international airports of Nội Bài and Tân Sơn Nhất.

Representatives of the NIA stated that Nội Bài International Airport assigned 21 personnel divided into three shifts, working around the clock every day. The airport's Airfield Environmental Team was responsible for organising the cleanliness of the airfield and collecting foreign objects at all aircraft parking positions, taxiways, and runways.

Equipped with four sweeping vehicles for foreign objects, three sweepers, and one magnet-based device for metallic debris, these vehicles operated continuously, frequently sweeping the airfield to ensure environmental cleanliness and foreign object control, he said.

In addition to inspecting foreign objects at the airport, efforts to clear water drainage pathways were also prioritised to ensure efficient water drainage during heavy rainfall. Plans were established to deploy personnel and equipment promptly, proactively addressing weather conditions to prevent runway flooding.

To prevent incidents during takeoff and landing, especially in stormy weather, the airport had implemented measures to enhance aviation safety during peak periods, aiming to prevent incidents caused by foreign objects, he said.

Earlier in July, the CAAV requested the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) to instruct all airports under its management to enhance foreign object control on runways, taxiways, and lying areas following a series of incidents involving foreign objects and debris at Nội Bài and Tân Sơn Nhất airports and other airports having construction works in flying areas.

In particular, the CAAV required the ACV to review data related to foreign objects and debris, as well as to implement a process to identify vulnerabilities, assess risks, and determine alert levels for airports experiencing an increase in foreign objects and debris.

Furthermore, the firm needed to identify and specify high-risk areas, thereby formulating solutions that were targeted based on specific regions, zones, or even individual units if necessary.

Additionally, it asked the ACV to fulfil its role as an airport operator comprehensively. This involved timely requests to ground service providers and construction units operating within the airfield to closely inspect and control the occurrence of foreign objects and debris resulting from ground service vehicles, construction activities, and the management and technical inspection of equipment within the airfield.

Personnel operating within the airfield were also needed to review procedures for managing tools and equipment brought into the airfield.

According to the CAAV’s reports on aviation safety, for the first six months of this year, 41 incidents have occurred, including one aviation accident. — VNS