Increasing number of passengers carrying weapons and dangerous items at Vinh airport
(Baonghean.vn) - In just the first 6 months of 2019, at Vinh airport (Nghe An), authorities discovered and handled 236 cases of passengers carrying weapons, support tools, and dangerous items in violation of the law.
On the morning of August 15, the Government Office coordinated with the Ministry of Transport to organize an online conference with provinces and cities with airports to review aviation security and safety work in the first 6 months of 2019 and deploy tasks for the last months of the year.
Comrade Truong Hoa Binh - Politburo member, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the National Aviation Security Committee chaired the Conference.
According to the report of the National Civil Aviation Security Committee, in the first 6 months of 2019, aviation security and safety were basically maintained, and incidents were promptly handled and resolved. Aviation security forces coordinated well with competent authorities in preventing and handling violations, preventing consequences affecting aviation security and safety.
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| Conference scene at Nghe An bridge. Photo: Tien Hung |
Meanwhile, in Nghe An, Vinh International Airport has a capacity of more than 2 million passengers per year. This airport is currently operating commercial flights to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Da Lat, Buon Ma Thuot, Pleiku, Nha Trang and international flights to Vientiane (Bangkok is temporarily suspending operations due to not meeting its potential). Every day, there are 32-34 takeoffs and landings serving about 4,000 passengers.
However, there are still many shortcomings at this airport. In the first 6 months of 2019 alone, authorities discovered and handled 236 cases of passengers carrying weapons, support tools, and dangerous items in violation of the law; one case of a passenger spreading false information about bombs and explosives; one case of illegal entry into a restricted area.
In addition, the number of passengers causing disorder and threatening to assault airline staff still occurred. Specifically, there was one incident on the plane, two incidents occurred in the port area. Five cases violated regulations on the use of flight documents; one incident of airport staff violating aviation security laws.
Incidents of passengers carrying weapons, support tools, and illegal items are on the rise; awareness of compliance with regulations on ensuring aviation security and safety of some officers and employees at the airport is not yet serious; the functions and powers of the competent authorities are still overlapping; the coordination mechanism between units at the airport is still inadequate, there are situations that occur but are not handled promptly. The current system of equipment and infrastructure to ensure aviation security only meets the minimum needs...
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| A corner of Vinh International Airport. |
Speaking at the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh emphasized that in the current context, ensuring aviation security and safety is a particularly important task. To ensure absolute aviation security and safety in the last months of the year, the National Civil Aviation Security Committee needs to receive opinions from ministries, branches and localities, synthesize and complete reports and work programs. Units and localities need to base on their assigned functions and tasks, resolutely and seriously implement the set goals effectively, ensuring absolute aviation security and safety, contributing to promoting the country's socio-economic development.