The Hangzhou Airport UFO Incident

On July 7, 2010, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport in China was shut down for approximately one hour after an unidentified flying object was detected in restricted airspace. Flights were diverted, and the incident was witnessed by airport staff and photographed, making international headlines.

The Incident

At approximately 8:40 PM, a flight crew reported an unusual object and airport radar detected an anomaly. The object was in restricted airspace, leading to the decision to halt operations and divert flights.

The Closure

The airport shut down for one hour, affecting 18 flights. Diversions to nearby airports left travelers stranded, causing major disruption.

The Object

Reports described a hovering bright light with a comet-like appearance that stayed in the area for a period before departing. Photos were taken by multiple witnesses.

Eyewitness Accounts

Those who saw it included airport workers, flight crews, local residents, photographers, and multiple other independent observers.

The Photos

Images showed a bright elongated light with a trail or beam visible. The photos were taken by multiple people, published in media outlets, and created global interest.

Official Response

Chinese authorities acknowledged the incident and investigated, though results were not fully disclosed. Some speculated it was military testing, but no definitive explanation was given.

Theories

Proposed explanations included military aircraft or missile, experimental vehicle, private aircraft with searchlight, and UFO. The official answer remains unclear.

Media Coverage

The story made international headlines with CNN, BBC, and others covering the event. Photos circulated globally, sparking renewed UFO interest. China’s openness about the incident surprised many observers.

Chinese UFO Context

The incident occurred during a period of increased Chinese UFO reports with more openness about sightings, greater public discussion, social media spreading stories, and a changed attitude from past secrecy.

Airport Safety

The closure demonstrated that authorities take airspace incursions seriously. Safety protocols were followed, unknown objects triggered an immediate response, showing that major airports are vulnerable and these events have real-world consequences.

Significance

The Hangzhou incident is significant for prompting a major airport closure, receiving international attention, earning Chinese official acknowledgment, involving multiple witnesses, and reaching an unexplained conclusion.

Legacy

The Hangzhou Airport UFO incident demonstrated that unidentified aerial phenomena can have serious real-world consequences. The willingness of Chinese authorities to acknowledge the event and close a major airport signaled a shift in how such incidents might be handled publicly.