New rules on air safety active

Air passengers who break safety regulations will face fines of up to 30 million dong (nearly US$1,600), a new government decree stipulates. According to the decree, smoking on no-smoking flights entails a fine of 500,000 to 1 million dong. Similar fines will also be levied on passengers found using electronic devices, stealing others’ possessions or aircraft equipment, and ignoring pandemic prevention and other instructions from the crew.
People who cause damage to an aircraft or any of its equipment or use its safety equipment without permission will be assessed fines of 1 million to 5 million dong.
10 million to 20 million dong will be the fine for trying to open an aircraft’s emergency exit during a flight. People disrupting flights by raising false alarms will also face a similar penalty. Those who threaten the safety of a plane will be fined 20 million to 30 million.
The decree also stipulates penalties for organizations and individuals involved in operating flights.
Airlines that transport dangerous goods without appropriate clearances, operate flights without traffic rights, or run test flights in unauthorized and highly-populated areas will be fined 50 million to 100 million dong.
The decree will take effect from July 20.