Drone sightings near Copenhagen Airport prompted a four-hour shutdown on Sunday evening. The Copenhagen Airport Shut Down causes significant flight delays and cancellations. Authorities are still investigating the origin and intent behind the aerial intrusion.
Drone Activity Grounds Flights for Hours
Copenhagen Airport was forced to shut down for approximately four hours Sunday night after several drones were spotted flying in restricted airspace. The first report of drone activity came in around 8:30 p.m. local time, prompting an immediate halt to air traffic and triggering airport security protocols.
The Danish National Police confirmed that they observed two to three larger drones hovering over or near the airport. Although the presence of drones was verified by responding officers, it remains unclear whether more drones were involved. Air traffic resumed at 12:30 a.m., but the airport warned travelers to expect ongoing delays and possible flight cancellations into the morning hours.
Investigation Underway with Multiple Agencies Involved
An intensive investigation was launched immediately by the Copenhagen Police, working in collaboration with Denmark’s intelligence service (PET) and the Danish Armed Forces. Authorities said the drones exited the airspace on their own accord and were not brought down or intercepted by law enforcement or military measures.
Officials have offered few details about the steps taken during the investigation. However, they have confirmed that both domestic and international law enforcement agencies are involved, including cooperation with Norway’s police. This comes after Oslo Airport also experienced a brief shutdown due to drone activity the same night, leading investigators to explore a potential connection between the incidents.
Unanswered Questions About Copenhagen Airport Shut Down Raise Concerns
As of Monday morning, many questions remain about who is behind the drone flights and what their purpose might have been. Authorities have not disclosed the drones’ point of origin or where they may have gone after leaving Copenhagen’s airspace. They are also unsure whether the same drones were seen near both Copenhagen and Oslo.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned a potential Russian violation of Danish airspace in a social media post Sunday. While this raised concerns about a possible geopolitical motive, Danish authorities stated they could neither confirm nor deny a Russian connection at this stage of the investigation.
Extent of Copenhagen Airport Shut Down
Copenhagen Airport, one of Northern Europe’s major transportation hubs, handles upward of 220,000 passengers daily. Sunday’s drone scare caused more than a dozen flights to be delayed or canceled, affecting thousands of travelers. Some flights were rerouted to alternate airports in Sweden and Germany.
Real-time data on the official Copenhagen Airport website shows a spike in disruptions, with at least 15 flights listed as canceled or significantly delayed between 9:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m.
Public Safety and Next Steps After Copenhagen Airport Shut Down
The incident marks a growing concern over drone intrusions at critical infrastructure points in Europe. Airport drone disruptions are not new, similar events have occurred at London’s Gatwick and Heathrow airports in recent years, but the inability to trace the source leaves a serious gap in security enforcement. Danish authorities say additional safety measures are being considered, but would not disclose specific strategies.
A follow-up press briefing is scheduled for 7:00 a.m. local time, where authorities are expected to provide updates on leads, footage analysis, and potential suspects. Meanwhile, travelers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest flight updates.
As drone technology becomes more accessible and advanced, European airports and security agencies continue to face new and evolving challenges in maintaining the safety and integrity of national airspace.
