Storm Noul has forced the cancellation of several dozen flights as three central Viet Nam airports are suspending their Friday operations as per request of The Civil Aviation Administration of Viet Nam (CAAV).

Aircraft of Vietjet Air at Da Nang airport

In detail, Quang Nam Province-based Chu Lai Airport is being suspended its operation from 4 am to 6 pm, the Da Nang Airport from 5 am till 8 pm, and the Phu Bai Airport located in Thua Thien-Hue Province from 6 am to 9 pm (all local time) today. 

As for other airports in the region, namely Nam Dong Hoi, Vinh, Pleiku, Phu Cat and Tuy Hoa, along with airlines and airports authorities are instructed to closely follow the weather situation and make prompt reports to the CAAV's command for natural disaster control and search and rescue.

National carrier Vietnam Airlines has cancelled ten flights between Ha Noi/HCMC and Da Nang, while delaying four flights until after 8 p.m. on Friday. It has also cancelled 14 Friday flights between Ha Noi/HCMC and Thua Thien-Hue and eight to and from Quang Nam.

Three other flights between Ha Noi/HCMC and Dong Hoi Town in Quang Binh Province would delay their arrival until after 7 pm on Friday. Likewise, air services from / to Buon Ma Thuot, Quy Nhon, Da Lat, Vinh and Thanh Hoa airports might also be rescheduled due to the storm.

A total of 22 flights to and from Da Nang, Hue and Chu Lai will operate on Saturday to help evacuate passengers, the national carrier said.

Meanwhile, budget carrier Vietjet Air said it cancels six Friday flights between HCMC and Chu Lai, eight between Ha Noi/HCMC and Da Nang, and eight between Ha Noi/HCMC and Hue. Another budget carrier, Bamboo Airways, has cancelled four flights between Ha Noi/HCMC and Da Nang, two between Ha Noi and Da Lat, and two between Ha Noi and Buon Ma Thuot.

Other domestic flights might also be delayed today due to the storm’s impacts, the carriers said.

In a similar vein, all intra-Da Nang bus services offering subsidised ticket fares are being suspended on Friday and Saturday. 

By THANH LAN- Translated by A.T