Four Vietnam airports to suspend operations as typhoon 'strongest in a decade' approaches

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has ordered a Saturday suspension of aircraft operations at four airports as the super typhoon Yagi is considered the strongest to impact the East Sea in a decade.

The four airports are Van Don, Cat Bi and Noi Bai in the north and Tho Xuan in the central region. The East Sea is internationally known as the South China Sea.

The order was signed by the CAAV's director Dinh Viet Thang given the storm's intensity and high level of disaster risk.

Van Don International Airport in Quang Ninh province will temporarily suspend aircraft operations from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 7.

Cat Bi International Airport in Hai Phong city will have aircraft operations temporarily suspended from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi will suspend aircraft operations from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m, while the time for Tho Xuan Airport in Thanh Hoa province is from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the same day.

The CAAV held a meeting on Thursday to discuss responses to Yagi. Based on the weather forecast at 1 p.m, Thursday from the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting and their analysis on the impact of the super typhoon, the authority determined that this is a very strong storm with significant natural disaster risks and complex developments.

The authority has also instructed Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) to provide appropriate aviation notifications in accordance with current regulations and ensure absolute safety in flight operations.