Copenhagen Airport, Denmark’s busiest and the largest in the Nordic region, reopened early Tuesday after being forced to suspend all take-offs and landings for nearly four hours due to multiple drone sightings in the airspace surrounding the airport. The shutdown, which began at 8:26 p.m. local time (1826 GMT) on Monday, affected both domestic and international flights. According to FlightRadar, roughly 50 flights were diverted to other airports, causing widespread disruption. Passengers were urged to check directly with their airlines, as some delays and cancellations were expected to continue even after the airport resumed operations.
Authorities reported that between two and three large drones were spotted in restricted airspace near the airport, prompting the precautionary closure. The police immediately launched an investigation to identify the drones and their operators. Airport officials, however, refrained from providing further specifics, citing the ongoing nature of the inquiry. The closure underscores the increasing security risks posed by drones in proximity to major airports, as even small or recreational unmanned aerial vehicles can pose serious safety hazards to aircraft during take-off and landing.
This incident comes shortly after a series of disruptions in European aviation. Last Friday, hackers targeted Collins Aerospace, a company that provides check-in and boarding systems, which affected operations at London’s Heathrow Airport, as well as airports in Berlin and Brussels. These recent events collectively highlight the vulnerability of modern airports to both physical intrusions like drones and cyberattacks, emphasizing the need for robust safety and security protocols.
Experts note that while drone sightings near airports are becoming more common globally, even a single drone in restricted airspace can trigger emergency responses, including flight diversions and temporary shutdowns. Airport authorities in Copenhagen have confirmed that safety remains the top priority, and all precautionary measures were taken to ensure passenger and aircraft safety while the situation was assessed. Investigators continue to review radar data, eyewitness reports, and potential video evidence to determine the source and intent of the drones.
This incident is likely to reignite discussions on stricter regulations for drone operations near critical infrastructure, especially airports, and may prompt authorities across Europe to review their drone detection and mitigation systems. Meanwhile, passengers and airlines are bracing for the cascading effects of the disruption, as delayed flights ripple through schedules across the continent.
