A man has been fined VND2 million (US$86) for burning tissue paper on a plane prior to its take-off at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on Monday morning.

The Northern Airports Authority confirmed on Tuesday it had imposed the penalty upon Ha Thanh H., who burned a piece of tissue with a lighter on board flight VN243 operated by national carrier Vietnam Airlines, which was scheduled to leave Hanoi for Ho Chi Minh City at 8:00 am.

The incident took place when the aircraft had just taxied from the apron to the runway and was preparing for its departure.

The passenger quickly put out the flame and did not let the incident result in any damage to the plane.

A flight attendant who had witnessed the incident reported it to the captain, who later decided to steer the aircraft back to the apron and hand over the passenger to airport security.

Following a working session with H., the Northern Airports Authority concluded that H. had failed to comply with the flight crew's instructions on aviation order, security, safety, and disease prevention. 

Such an action is punishable by a fine worth VND1-3 million ($43-129) in accordance with Government Decree 162.

H. was given a VND2 million penalty as there were no aggravating or mitigating circumstances.

According to the Civil Aviation of Vietnam, passengers are allowed to carry along a small box of matches or a small lighter, as long as the lighters contain permeable liquid fuel, excluding liquefied natural gas.

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