Prime Minister directs investigation into person who shined laser at plane

In response to the laser incidents that threaten flight safety, the Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Public Security to direct local police to urgently investigate the motives and the people who shined lasers at aircraft from February 2016 to present.

On June 24, the Prime Minister issued a telegram stating that recently, some airports have seen laser beams being used to shine at aircraft while landing, seriously threatening aviation safety.

Laser beams shining into a pilot's eyes can threaten flight safety. Photo: Xuan Hoa

To overcome this situation, the Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of National Defense and the provinces and cities of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Can Tho, Khanh Hoa... to deploy professional measures, coordinate with aviation units to detect, prevent and stop the shining of laser lights on aircraft.

"Units need to identify key areas related to aircraft runways to have plans to strengthen prevention and stop the use of laser lights at aircraft," the dispatch stated.

The Ministry of Public Security was assigned to direct local police to urgently investigate the motives and the person who shone the laser at the aircraft from February 2016 to present and handle it strictly according to regulations. The Ministry of Information and Communications is responsible for organizing propaganda and dissemination of legal regulations on ensuring flight safety and the dangers of laser beams to flight safety.

According to the National Civil Aviation Security Committee, in the first half of June 2016, this agency recorded 4 cases of laser beams being shone at aircraft taking off and landing at Noi Bai (Hanoi). Most recently, on the evening of June 14, the crew of VietJet flight VJ174 (Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi route) was hit by a laser beam while preparing to land.

There is a red laser, commonly used in laser pens for presenting documents. Another type is the green laser, which has a longer range and is used in light projection technology. People who are exposed to high intensity green lasers in their eyes can suffer corneal damage and even permanent blindness. "Shining a laser into a pilot's eyes can cause temporary blindness, which is very dangerous if the pilot is controlling the plane taking off or landing at that time," said an aviation security expert.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has advised countries to prevent the use of laser lights that affect flight operations. The National Aviation Security Committee has asked local authorities to review and take measures to recommend against the use of laser lights that endanger flight operations.

According to VNE