Air traffic controllers in Vietnam must have licenses when performing duties in the field of aviation from July 15, 2024

1. New regulations for air traffic controllers in aviation sector in Vietnam

On May 29, 2024, the Minister of Transport of Vietnam issued Circular 15/2024/TT-BGTVT which amends and supplements Circular 19/2017/TT-BGTVT on regulations for managing and ensuring flight operations, including amendments to Clause 2, Article 17 to add new regulations for air traffic controllers.

The new regulations for air traffic controllers include:

- Air traffic controllers must possess valid licenses and ratings when performing their duties.

- Trainees and employees in training at positions such as en-route control, approach control, and airport control must be supervised and guided by a licensed and suitably rated air traffic controller or air traffic control trainer whose licenses and ratings are valid.

- Air traffic controllers or air traffic control trainers who supervise and guide are responsible for the provision of flight operation services by trainees and employees in training at those positions.

- Enterprises providing air traffic services are responsible for arranging a sufficient number of suitable air traffic controllers for each position.

Additionally, Circular 15/2024/TT-BGTVT adds point i, clause 1, Article 263 of Circular 19/2017/TT-BGTVT (amended and supplemented in clause 55, Article 1 of Circular 32/2021/TT-BGTVT) regarding the management of training and coaching ANS employees (ANS PEL).

The new regulations in the aviation sector will ensure that all air traffic controllers meet the required professional qualifications and skills to perform critical tasks that involve advanced technologies and equipment.

Moreover, new or training employees will consistently receive strict and professional guidance according to standards. Air traffic controllers or air traffic control trainers are always responsible for training the essential skills needed when providing flight operation services to trainees.

Under this new regulation, enterprises providing air traffic services are responsible for arranging a sufficient number of suitably qualified and licensed air traffic controllers to ensure effective flight operation management and control.

Circular 15/2024/TT-BGTVT takes effect from July 15, 2024.

(Currently, according to clause 2, Article 17 of Circular 19/2017/TT-BGTVT, air traffic controllers must have valid licenses and ratings when performing duties. Air traffic service providers must arrange a sufficient number of suitably qualified air traffic controllers for their positions.)

2. Duties of air traffic controllers according to legal regulations in Vietnam

According to Article 17 of Circular 19/2017/TT-BGTVT, the positions for air traffic controllers in the aviation field include:

- Air traffic controllers at airports, approach control, and en-route;

- Flight procedure officers;

- Notification and coordination officers;

- ATFM staff;

- Signalmen;

- HF A/G communication operators;

- Senior air traffic controllers (as detailed in Appendix XI attached to this Circular);

- Air traffic control trainers.

Additionally, air traffic controllers are tasked with providing the latest meteorological information to aircraft performing flights as agreed upon by ATS and MET facilities:

- Notify MET facilities of meteorological factors observed by air traffic controllers or reported by flight crews, outside of data displayed on screens and instruments;

- Immediately inform MET facilities of weather phenomena affecting flight operations observed by air traffic controllers or reported by flight crews, but not included in the airport meteorological report;

- Promptly notify other relevant meteorological agencies of volcanic activities and volcanic ash clouds; en-route control must inform the aviation weather warning center of these activities.

Notifications and coordination regarding activities potentially dangerous to civilian aircraft over land or sea are carried out according to Article 10 of Decree 125/2015/ND-CP dated December 4, 2015, of the Government of Vietnam, detailing the management of flight operations and Chapter IV of this Circular.

In cases where civilian aircraft face emergency situations or other unusual circumstances, direct communication between the relevant ATS facility and the unit conducting activities that could pose a danger to civilian aircraft over land or sea must be ensured to temporarily halt those activities.

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