HCMC – The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) on November 9 decided to temporarily suspend operations at five airports in the central and Central Highlands regions as Storm Etau, the 12th to threaten the country this year, was forecast to affect the area.
Tuy Hoa Airport in Phu Yen Province, in particular, will be closed from 5 p.m. on November 9 to 4 p.m. on November 10, the local media reported.
Both Phu Cat Airport in Binh Dinh Province and Cam Ranh Airport in Khanh Hoa Province have suspended their operations since 0 a.m. on November 10. The former will be reopened at 3 p.m. on the same day, while the later will resume operations an hour later.
In the Central Highlands region, Buon Ma Thuot Airport in Daklak Province will be shut from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 10. In addition, Lien Khuong Airport in Lam Dong Province will not serve passengers between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the same day.
According to CAAV, the reopening schedule of the airports may change based on the developments of the storm to reduce the impact on airlines and passengers.
The authority also asked the airport authorities to keep a close watch on the development of the storm and its effect on Chu Lai Airport in Quang Nam Province, Pleiku Airport in Gia Lai Province and Danang Airport in Danang and promptly propose that CAAV suspend the operations of more airports.
Due to the temporary suspension of airports, national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has cancelled two flights between HCMC and Tuy Hoa, two flights between the city and Quy Nhon and two others between Hanoi and Nha Trang. The air carrier will also delay the departure time of flights from other airports to Tuy Hoa, Nha Trang, Buon Ma Thuot, Dalat, Quy Nhon and Chu Lai airports to after 4 p.m. on November 10.
Pacific Airlines has also announced a delay of six flights from HCMC to Tuy Hoa and Dalat.
Meanwhile, VASCO will keep a close watch on the developments of the storm to make necessary adjustments.
According to the airlines, passengers who have bought tickets for the delayed and cancelled flights will be accommodated on the next flights once the weather conditions improve.
Passengers who have plans to go to and from airports in the localities forecast to be affected by the storm should stay updated on the weather conditions and announcements by airlines.
