An aircraft is seen taking off from Da Nang International Airport in central Vietnam. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre
The airport’s border gate police said on Tuesday that officers had identified 597 UAVs operating within the airport’s monitored area after one month of testing a system designed to detect and neutralize unauthorized drones.
Of the total, 458 UAVs were recorded flying within designated no-fly zones, while 139 were operating outside restricted airspace.
The anti-drone system was introduced amid growing concerns over increasingly frequent UAV intrusions around airport facilities, posing potential threats to aviation security and flight safety.
The airport police said they have coordinated with the National Aviation Security Center and the Bureau of Technical Services under the Ministry of Public Security to survey the area and develop plans for detecting and suppressing drones entering restricted airspace.
Authorities have also strengthened camera surveillance, patrols, and security inspections in public areas and around the airport’s internal perimeter.
Da Nang International Airport is currently the largest international aviation gateway in Vietnam’s Central Highlands and central regions, handling up to 350 take-offs and landings each day.
Between February and April, six drone intrusion incidents and one event involving three UAVs were recorded in the airport area, affecting dozens of flights.
On February 22 alone, a drone breached the flight safety corridor at the airport, forcing 54 flights to adjust their take-off and landing schedules, as well as departure and arrival holding times, to ensure operational safety.
In the coming period, the airport plans to officially test an advanced UAV monitoring system capable of automatically detecting, identifying, and tracking drones operating in the vicinity of the airport.
