According to the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation, weather conditions were affected by a low-pressure trough across central Vietnam combined with upper-air wind convergence at 3,000–5,000 meters, triggering scattered showers and thunderstorms across northern airports.

At Noi Bai, from 13:02 to 14:00, a powerful thunderstorm hit with winds up to level 6, reducing visibility to 600 meters - and at times only 300 meters. The most intense period lasted 30 minutes, between 13:08 and 13:30.

Officials emphasized that thanks to experience and advanced equipment, the duty team accurately forecast and warned of the storm’s start and end times.

Air traffic controllers applied the Collaborative Decision Making (CDM) process, a coordination mechanism involving airlines, airports, and air traffic management. CDM aims to ensure absolute safety, minimize airborne and ground delays, save fuel, and optimize airspace use.

As a result, while about 30 flights had to circle, five were diverted to Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong, and many others adjusted departure times from other airports to avoid disruption.

N. Huyen