As Hanoi's capital endures an extreme heatwave, conditions at Noi Bai International Airport are far more severe. Today, May 25th, the Airport recorded a historic milestone: concrete surface temperatures on the aircraft apron reached a record-breaking 71°C.

The vast airside area — its sprawling concrete expanse absorbing heat across every surface — has become nothing short of a giant scorching pan. Combined with the intense heat radiating from the engines of aircraft in operation, the air here is searing, stifling, and almost suffocating. Yet none of this has deterred the men and women who work around the clock on the apron, racing against time to ensure the absolute safety of every flight.

The "Airport Sun" — and the Imperative of Flight Safety

For airside staff, the harsher the weather, the greater the workload and pressure.

The most intense heat of the day is precisely when teams must accelerate their pace — completing all maintenance tasks and projects within the airside area on schedule, before sudden thunderstorms or squalls can cause disruption. Even under extreme weather conditions, all duties are carried out consistently and meticulously:

• Routine patrols, grass cutting, and drainage channel clearance in preparation for the upcoming storm season
• Foreign Object Debris (FOD) collection — a critical task for absolute flight safety
• Inspection and maintenance of signage, signal systems, and approach lighting
• Remarking of runway markings, taxiway lines, and aircraft stand positions to ensure full compliance with aviation safety standards

Silent Dedication

The nature of aviation demands absolute precision. With ground temperatures hitting 71°C underfoot and the blazing sun overhead, every task is still carried out with meticulous care and in strict adherence to safety procedures.

To support the workforce, a senior official from the Noi Bai Airside Operations Center shared: "To safeguard our staff's health while fulfilling our operational responsibilities and ensuring flight safety, we have proactively planned and implemented flexible shift arrangements — except in force majeure situations requiring immediate response. The health of our workers is always our top priority."

Beyond optimising shift scheduling, the Noi Bai International Airport Trade Union has also organised timely welfare visits and presented gifts to encourage the teams holding the line at the airport's most demanding posts.

To stand on the apron during these summer days is to truly understand what "airport sun" means. It is not merely a test of endurance against nature — it is a measure of dedication, professionalism, and the deep sense of duty that defines the people of Noi Bai. Every drop of sweat on the runway today is the strongest testament to one unwavering commitment: Noi Bai International Airport will always strive to ensure absolute flight safety and the highest standard of passenger service — worthy of its role as the gateway airport of the nation's capital.