While traffic police direct traffic on the ground, air traffic controllers regulate traffic in the "ninth cloud" so that planes can take off and land in absolute safety.

This is an extremely stressful and pressured job, requiring KSVKL to have a “cool head”, high concentration, calmness and decisiveness in all situations. Because just one minute of distraction, wrong decision, wrong action can also cost a lot.

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Quang, Head of the Approach Control Center at Noi Bai Airport, said that flight operations do not allow for any mistakes, requiring absolute concentration from the air traffic controllers.

A KSVKL on-duty shift is only allowed to last a maximum of 2 hours. During this time, KSVKL cannot do personal work, use mobile phones, or leave their duty position unless necessary, etc.

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Noi Bai Air Traffic Control Tower

Before the plane takes off, the KSVKL will issue basic instructions on the flight plan, flight route, weather and some other necessary information. The plane starts the engine and taxis under the supervision of the ground controller.

In case of thunderstorms, heavy rain or emergency situations, malfunctions, or when conditions are not yet suitable for the aircraft to land, KSVKL will request the pilot to wait or land at alternate airports.

Work will be even more stressful for KSVKL during the peak of the Lunar New Year 2024 when the number of flights increases at airports. According to statistics, Tan Son Nhat airport serves about 900 flights per day during this time, while Noi Bai airport serves about 600 flights.

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Air traffic controllers work with a high level of concentration.

To operate a large number of flights to ensure safety, speed, and minimize delays, the KSVKL force has made every effort and focused highly throughout the task.

The air traffic controllers have coordinated effectively in flight operations, regulating air traffic flow right from the long-haul flight phase to the approach and landing phase, while creating reasonable spacing between arriving flights to speed up the take-off process and relieve congestion at the airport.

To perform the above tasks well, KSVKL must have high professional qualifications, aircraft navigation skills, situation handling skills, and make accurate decisions in giving instructions for aircraft to take off and land.

The efforts and determination of the air traffic control force in flight operations have helped thousands of flights to be safe, meeting the large number of passengers returning home to celebrate Tet and spring travel.

20 years of celebrating Tet at the office

Having worked in the KSVKL job for more than 20 years, Ms. Hai Sen (Access Control Center at Noi Bai Airport) shared that she still remembers the feeling of the first time she went on duty on New Year's Eve. At that time, she was young, just out of school, while her friends of the same age were gathering with their families, she rushed to work.

“I wondered if I had made the right choice in this job. But when I arrived at the office, I saw the bustling atmosphere, with people decorating peach and kumquat trees, arranging flowers, preparing cakes and candies... When I started my shift, I also received New Year greetings from the pilots. I suddenly felt warm and at home,” Ms. Sen recounted.

Time flies, up to now Ms. Sen has had 20 Tet holidays at the office. Her family is also used to seeing her busy preparing for Tet early and rushing to leave early and come home late during Tet holidays.

Meanwhile, working as KSVKL, Ms. Thuy and her husband (at the Approach Control Center at Noi Bai Airport) have to rely on their grandparents to take care of their grandchildren so they can work with peace of mind. The joy of Tet for KSVKL at the command tower is to see flights land safely, bringing people home to reunite with their families.

According to aviation experts, despite its rapid growth, over the past 22 years, our country's civil aviation industry has maintained absolute safety in all operations. From serving less than 1 million passengers per year in 1990, the number of passengers passing through airports has now exceeded 100 million per year.

Ensuring the safety of each flight is a particularly important task, the survival of the aviation industry, requiring unity, synchronization, and high discipline throughout the system. In which, there is a silent contribution from the KSVKL.

In 2023, flight operations output at Noi Bai airport is estimated to reach 188,591 flights, with the highest day reaching 667 flights.

The approach control center at Noi Bai airport currently has 131 air traffic controllers, 70 of whom are female. The entrance to the 60-square-meter control room features a red poster: "One second of carelessness can cost you a whole year, one minute of carelessness can ruin your career."

The job is extremely stressful, requiring absolute concentration and situation recognition within 2 seconds. Air traffic controllers are the ones who 'hide' their power behind the scenes.