Several flights had shifted their operations to Noi Bai Airport from Cat Bi International Airport in Hai Phong City yesterday, after the airport was temporarily closed for runway repair.

Yesterday afternoon, the Cat Bi Airport runway unexpectedly developed cracks due to the scorching summer heat, airport authorities said.

They immediately asked airlines to halt all flight arrivals and departures at the airport and decided to tackle the problem.

Well aware that cracks on the runway would endanger planes, the airport worked with airlines and delayed five flights. They also hired coaches to transport passengers to Noi Bai Airport to help them board their scheduled flights.

The first flight today, BL510, involving an A320/559, landed safely at Cat Bi airport at 8.30am, while other activities also returned to normal. As scheduled, the airport will receive 24 flights today, comprising 18 Sai Gon–Hai Phong return flights, four Da Nang–Hai Phong return flights and two Hai Phong–Buon Me Thuot return flights.

The Civil Aviation Administration of Viet Nam has asked the Airports Corporation of Viet Nam to examine and assess comprehensively the use of the Cat Bi Airport runway.

Cat Bi Airport authorities said the incident was unprecedented and concluded that prolonged heat had affected the runway. 

VNS