Unidentified Flying Object prompts closure of Chinese airport

Hangzhou - The episode occurred late Wednesday night at the Xiaoshan airport in eastern China. After the object was picked up by radar around 9 pm, the airport grounded outgoing flights.

The Shanghai Daily reported the episode, saying incoming flights were diverted to other airports for approximately an hour while the unidentified flying object hovered in the vicinity of the airport. The UFO caused an air traffic snarl for up to four hours after the episode. Airport employees told the Shanghai Daily that the object was not visible to the human eye, but one passenger claims to have seen a "twinkling light." Xinhau News reported that the mysterious object has not been identified. Officials are apparently leaning towards an explanation of a privately-owned airplane, but an protected source told Xinhau News the object was linked to the military. Xinhau also has a contradictory story of the episode, saying the object was not seen on radar, but was seen by people. The Xiaoshan airport is situated in the eastern capital city, Hangzhou. News reports say people reported seeing a strange light in the late afternoon sky, hours before the episode at the airport. The Daily Telegraph said residents of the city saw what looked like a ball of fire. The Daily Telegraph has posted several pictures of the object. Citizens who saw the strange object also reported the object moved with speed towards the west. The Scottish Sun posted a Chinese news clip that shows video footage of a light in the sky. The object was considered to be a security risk, prompting the first closure of a Chinese airport due to an unidentified flying object. An official report is expected to be released by China on Saturday. Xiaoshan International Airport is described by the Chinese as the "garden airport,"

"... due to its verdant setting and floral gardens and is one of the most important territorial airports in China. Covering an area of about 180 acres, the airport has a 3,600-meter (about 3,937 yards) airstrip, which can meet the take-off and landing requirements of planes from B747 to B400. At present there is only one terminal building in the airport. The new Terminal A will be open soon. Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport currently attracts 193 airlines that offer flights to 94 cities and regions at home and abroad."

In 2009, Chinese scientists reported seeing an unidentified flying object during an eclipse.