Drones Disrupt Flights at Vietnam’s Danang Airport During Lunar Rush

Danang, Vietnam — Unauthorized drones forced the delay of 54 commercial flights at Danang International Airport last week, authorities confirmed. The incidents occurred during the Lunar New Year holiday, one of the busiest periods in Vietnam’s aviation calendar. Airport operations were significantly disrupted, forcing pilots into holding patterns while air traffic controllers assessed potential risk. Reports indicate two separate drone intrusions in quick succession. Although no accidents occurred, the UAVs flew dangerously close to approaching aircraft. The identity of the drone operators remains unknown, and it is unclear how near the drones came to passenger planes. Nonetheless, the scale of disruption highlights persistent gaps in airport airspace security.

Vietnam prohibits private drones from operating near airports and bans high-intensity lighting in aviation zones. Yet enforcement remains a challenge, particularly during peak traffic periods. Danang International Airport handles more than 300 flights per day at the height of holiday travel, straining both staffing and surveillance capacity, according to local media sources. The disruptions prompted urgent operational reviews, though officials declined further comment. Aviation experts warn that drone incursions have cascading effects, delaying connecting flights and impacting cargo logistics. In regions experiencing rapid air travel growth, such security breaches pose both safety and economic risks.

Globally, aviation authorities have increased efforts to regulate drones, introducing stricter flight zones, mandatory registration, and detection technologies. Analysts stress that detection systems alone are insufficient without coordinated public awareness and enforcement measures. In Vietnam, authorities must balance the growing recreational drone market with the imperative of protecting passengers and infrastructure.
The Danang incident serves as a stark reminder of the tension between technological access and public safety. Drones, while beneficial for commerce and leisure, can easily threaten human life if misused or operated carelessly near airports. Similar incidents in other countries have led to costly flight disruptions and even near-miss collisions.

Airlines have since resumed regular operations, but monitoring continues to prevent further incidents. The episode underscores the urgent need for comprehensive counter-drone strategies, particularly during high-demand travel periods. Above all, it signals a pressing challenge for airports worldwide: integrating modern technology safely into increasingly complex airspaces.