Following the Copenhagen Airport shutdown caused by illegal drones, Danish lawmakers face renewed pressure to fast-track legislation allowing critical infrastructure operators to neutralize potential threats in the air. Despite growing drone activity over critical infrastructure, a proposed law has been under development for over two years and stock at the Ministry of Transport.
Drone Disruption Causes Copenhagen Airport Shutdown for Four Hours
Air traffic at Copenhagen Airport came to a standstill Monday evening after unauthorized drones were spotted in the vicinity, grounding flights for four hours and stranding passengers. This marks the most serious drone-related interruption in Denmark in recent years and adds urgency to ongoing political discussions about new drone laws.
So far in 2024, Danish airports have reported several incidents involving unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including a shutdown at Aalborg Airport earlier this year that lasted 12 minutes due to a hobby drone entering restricted airspace. Additionally, unidentified drones have recently been spotted near Køge Harbor, heightening concerns about national safety.
Legislation Stuck for Over Two Years
Despite growing drone activity over critical infrastructure, including airports, harbors, oil rigs, and bridges, a proposed law designed to empower authorities to shoot down rogue drones remains stalled. The bill has been under development by the Ministry of Transport for more than two years.
The legislation would allow airport and harbor operators, in collaboration with relevant authorities, to disable or destroy drones that pose a threat to safety or operations. Current rules do not permit public or private actors to neutralize drones, even when they cause major disruptions.
The Danish Transport Minister, currently attending meetings in Canada, confirmed that the proposed drone law is expected to be introduced in the Danish Parliament within a month and, if passed, will take effect on January 1, 2026.
Industry Calls for Urgent Action After Copenhagen Airport Shutdown
Multiple stakeholders, including airlines and airport operators, are now urging lawmakers to accelerate the passage of the legislation. Organizations such as Danish Industry Transport argue that the current reactive approach to drone incidents is insufficient and leaves critical infrastructure exposed.
Their key demands include:
– The establishment of clear protocols and responsibilities for drone-related incidents
– Permission for on-site security teams to act quickly against unauthorized drone activities
– Investments in detection and deterrence technologies tailored to specific types of infrastructure
Gaps in Drone Surveillance Capabilities
Experts from the University of Southern Denmark’s Dronecenter have pointed out that Denmark is lagging behind when it comes to monitoring and defending its infrastructure from drones. Technology capable of detecting drones using cameras, audio sensors, or radio frequency scanning has been available for years, but systematic deployment is still lacking.
There is a pressing need to determine the most effective tools for monitoring different zones: offshore wind farms may require different surveillance setups compared to prisons, train stations, or refineries. Security analysts stress that reaction times to a drone intrusion must be lightning-fast, sometimes under one minute, leaving no space for outdated or unclear procedures.
Danish Drone Laws for Private Users
While authorities grapple with regulations around critical infrastructure, private drone users are already required to follow strict rules. For example, any drone operator with a device weighing over 250 grams must obtain a drone certificate, register with the authorities, and maintain active insurance coverage. The country’s official drone map service, dronezoner.dk, helps users determine where they can fly their drones legally.
Threat Is Growing, Lawmakers Must Respond
The Copenhagen Airport shutdown illustrates the growing risk that unmanned aerial systems pose to flight safety and national security. In Denmark, drone incursions have increased steadily over the past five years, according to regulatory planning notes associated with the pending law. As international tensions rise and drone technology becomes cheaper and more accessible, experts warn that bad actors may exploit these vulnerabilities.
The Danish government’s upcoming legislative effort will be closely watched by other European countries facing similar concerns. With a proposed implementation date of January 2026, Denmark must navigate the legislative and technical challenges quickly to ensure air and ground safety doesn’t fall behind.
