Inbound flights heading towards Aalborg Airport in Denmark were redirected last night as the airport, also utilized by the military, was closed due to the presence of drones in its airspace.
Authorities confirmed that drones were sighted near Aalborg airport, leading to the closure of the airspace. Law enforcement officials were on site investigating the situation. The drones were observed flying with illuminated lights.
This incident occurred shortly after Copenhagen Airport had to shut down because of drone activity in the vicinity, causing significant disruptions on Monday evening. Reports indicated the detection of up to three autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the airport’s airspace, prompting a swift police response.
Despite initial hopes of reopening the airport at 4 am, flights departing from Aalborg remain canceled and delayed. Departures to Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Rhodes, and Oslo have been affected, with uncertainty surrounding flights scheduled for 7 am.
Niels Hemmingsen, the CEO of the airport, confirmed the closure of the airspace following drone sightings. The shutdown at Aalborg Airport, serving both civilian and military flights, occurred just days after Copenhagen Airport faced a similar drone-related closure, raising security concerns across Europe.
In response to the situation, Danish national police noted similarities between the recent drone incidents at Aalborg and Copenhagen airports. European air traffic control authorities announced the suspension of arrivals and departures at Aalborg Airport until 06:00 local time on Thursday, leading flights to be redirected to alternative airports in Denmark.
Several inbound flights have already been diverted, and drone sightings near other Danish airports, including Esbjerg, Sønderborg, and Skrydstrup, have been reported. Authorities are actively investigating these incidents to gather more information.
The closure of Aalborg Airport due to drone activity follows recent disruptions caused by a cyber attack at Heathrow Airport and other major European airports. The impact of these disruptions has led to flight cancellations and delays, with some airports still experiencing residual delays.
The airspace closure at Oslo airport in Norway for three hours after a drone sighting further underscores the growing concerns regarding drone interference in airport operations. Denmark’s prime minister hinted at potential foreign involvement, suggesting that drones may have been operated by Russia.
Multiple incoming and outgoing flights at Aalborg Airport have been affected by the closure, including flights operated by SAS, Norwegian, and KLM. Law enforcement presence remains strong at the airport as investigations into the drone incidents continue.
