Last night, inbound flights destined for Aalborg Airport in Denmark were redirected due to the closure of the airport caused by drone activity in its airspace. Authorities reported the presence of drones near the airport with their lights illuminated, prompting a police investigation.
This incident occurred shortly after Copenhagen Airport experienced a similar disruption when drones were sighted, leading to the temporary closure of the airport. Reports indicated the presence of up to three autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the airspace over Copenhagen Airport, resulting in flight cancellations and delays.
Despite initial plans to reopen Aalborg Airport at 4 am, flights departing from the airport remain affected, particularly those heading to Amsterdam and Copenhagen. The status of subsequent flights, including those scheduled for Rhodes and Oslo, is currently uncertain.
Niels Hemmingsen, the CEO of Aalborg Airport, confirmed the closure of the airspace due to drone sightings, mirroring the recent incident at Copenhagen Airport. Danish national police noted similarities between the recent drone sightings and those that led to the closure of Copenhagen Airport a few days earlier.
As a precautionary measure, all arrivals and departures at Aalborg Airport have been halted until 06:00 local time on Thursday, resulting in the diversion of flights to other airports in Denmark. Several inbound flights have already been redirected to alternative airports.
In addition to Aalborg Airport, drone sightings have also been reported near Esbjerg, Sønderborg, and Skrydstrup airports in Denmark, prompting police presence and ongoing investigations. The situation is being closely monitored, with updates expected as new information becomes available.
The disruption at Aalborg Airport follows a recent cyber attack that impacted Heathrow Airport and other major European airports. The ongoing delays and cancellations have caused inconvenience to travelers, with airports still managing the aftermath of the disruptions.
Furthermore, the airspace at Oslo Airport in Norway was temporarily closed for three hours after a drone sighting. Denmark’s Prime Minister hinted at potential Russian involvement in the drone incidents, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the situation.
Multiple incoming and departing flights, including those operated by SAS, Norwegian, and KLM, have been affected by the closure of Aalborg Airport. Nordjyllands Police are actively investigating the drone sightings in the vicinity of the airport, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance and security measures in response to such incidents.