Strict fines for threats to airline safety

A proposal to impose fines of up to VND30 million (US$1,570) for flight safety violations has been submitted to the Prime Minister for approval.
Tran Ngoc Thanh, deputy director of the ministry’s legal department said that it is necessary to add stricter and more specific punishment levels to prevent continued violations in this field, including intentional violations by passengers.
Under the draft decree, engineers who do not report technical issues in the regulated time will be fined ($262-525) and those who try to hide breakdowns or accidents related to planes will receive fines of between VND20-30 million ($1,050-1,570).
The draft decree is also designed to deter airlines from violating price regulations with fines from VND10-20 million ($525-1,050) for those that do not adhere to them.
Thanh said it also proposed strict punishments for passengers who caused disorder or disruption during flights.
Passengers who use electrical equipment during take-off or landing will be subject to fines of VND500,000-1 million ($26-52).
Thanh said that passengers were reminded not to use their telephones or other electrical equipment before flights so anyone intentionally ignoring the instruction deserved to be punished.
Passengers who threaten the safety of a plane will receive fines of between VND20-30 million ($1,050-1,570), those who incite others to cause disorder at airports will be fined VND1 million ($52) and passengers that threaten members of the cabin crew or violate plane regulations will be fined between VND1 and 3 million ($52-157).
Nguyen Trong Thang, deputy chief inspector of Viet Nam Civil Aviation Department said that the draft decree regulated more clearly the legal rights of the police and inspectors to hand out fines for violations of aviation regulations.