The Civil Aviation Authority of Việt Nam (CAAV) has asked the Ministry of Transport for permission to build systems to detect debris on the runways of major airports to avoid accidents.

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Systems to detect foreign objects on runways proposed

November 16, 2016 - 17:00

The Civil Aviation Authority of Việt Nam (CAAV) has asked the Ministry of Transport for permission to build systems to detect debris on the runways of major airports to avoid accidents.

A plane with a damaged nose due to a collision with birds. – Photo: baogiaothong.vn
Viet Nam News

HÀ NỘI – The Civil Aviation Authority of Việt Nam (CAAV) has asked the Ministry of Transport for permission to build systems to detect debris on the runways of major airports to avoid accidents.

According to the proposal, the systems will be installed at Nội Bài International Airport in Hà Nội and Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in Hồ Chí Minh at a cost of nearly VNĐ1 trillion (US$ 44.7 million).

CAAV has reported 19 incidents this year in which airplane tyres were cut, and 20 incidents of birds bumping into airplanes across the country.

“Take-off and landing are the most important periods when the airplane’s speed and friction are very high. A catastrophic accident can occur even due to collision with very small objects like screws, iron bars or birds,” said Lại Xuân Thanh, head of CAAV.

Currently only human eyes monitor the runways. The process is time consuming since each check requires take-off and landing activities to halt, causing disruptions at busy airports like Nội Bài and Tân Sơn Nhất.

According to Thanh, systems to detect foreign objects would increase the accuracy of the check and prevent false warnings and interruptions of the airports’ activities.

CAAV proposed three investment options: using the State budget, using capital from the Airports Corporation of Việt Nam which operates the two airports, or a private-public parnership.

If the proposal is approved, the systems will be built next year and begin operation in 2018. – VNS

 

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