On Thursday (September 25), Danish police announced in the early hours that Aalborg Airport was urgently closed due to multiple drones entering its airspace, causing flight disruptions. Following the closure of Copenhagen Airport two days ago for four hours because of drones, another airport was disturbed, leading to an escalation in European aviation security alertness.
The police stated that at least “more than one” drone appeared around the airport and turned on lights. The first sighting was at 9:44 pm on the 24th (Greenwich Mean Time), and they had not left by the early hours of the 25th. Authorities pointed out that the drone’s flight pattern was similar to the Copenhagen incident but have not confirmed if they are from the same source. Due to Aalborg Airport being used as a military base, the Danish Armed Forces were also affected.
Eurocontrol has set Aalborg Airport’s landing and takeoff rate to “zero,” with at least three flights diverted to other locations by early morning on the 25th.
Aalborg Airport on the northern Jutland Peninsula serves both civilian and military functions and is a crucial hub for Danish defense. The police confirmed that the military is involved in the investigation but did not disclose details. Meanwhile, drones were also found near airports in Esbjerg, Sønderborg, and Skrydstrup in southern Jutland, with Skrydstrup Air Base being the home of Denmark’s F-16 and F-35 fighter jets.
Danish National Police Director Thorkild Fogde revealed that they have received numerous reports of drone sightings since the Copenhagen incident. While most did not pose a substantial threat, the situation in Aalborg is deemed “particularly worthy of attention.”
Currently, Danish intelligence agencies and the military are coordinating investigations with several European countries. Authorities emphasize that the events did not directly endanger passengers or residents.
Copenhagen Airport was forced to halt flights earlier this week due to drone invasions, which the Danish government classified as the “most severe attack on critical infrastructure to date” and suspected it might be linked to Russian interference operations. However, the Russian Ambassador to Denmark denied these allegations.
Neighboring Norway also experienced drone sightings this week, temporarily shutting down Oslo Airport for three hours on Monday night. Norway’s Foreign Minister stated that there is currently no evidence directly linking this incident to the disruptions in Copenhagen.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed that such events highlight Europe’s ongoing “continuous confrontation” at its borders. Key infrastructure has been threatened, and she stressed that Europe will respond with firm and decisive actions.
(This article referenced reports from Reuters)