Copenhagen Airport was forced to close on Monday evening after two to three large drones were spotted in the vicinity of the international hub. The sighting of the unmanned aerial vehicles in Danish airspace prompted authorities to take immediate action, suspending all airport operations.
Operations were halted at approximately 8:30pm local time, causing significant disruption to air travel across Europe. More than 35 flights were diverted to alternative airports including Malmö, Billund, Aarhus, and Gothenburg as the security incident unfolded.
The mass diversion of aircraft created chaos for passengers and airlines, with travellers facing lengthy delays and rebooking challenges. The scale of the disruption highlighted the serious security implications when drones breach major airport airspace.
Police Response
Henrik Stormer, head of Copenhagen Police, confirmed the magnitude of the security operation. "We have a massive presence out there," he told reporters as authorities worked to investigate the incident.
Metro reports that fire crews were also deployed to the scene alongside the substantial police presence. The coordinated emergency response demonstrated the seriousness with which authorities treated the drone intrusion.
Airport Impact
Metro reports that airport terminals were largely empty following the closure, with only some passengers remaining at baggage check-in areas. The swift evacuation procedures ensured passenger safety while investigations continued.
The Daily Mail reports that a separate, unrelated drone incident occurred at Oslo airport, resulting in two arrests. This follows growing concerns about aviation security after a previous near-miss at Heathrow in May, when pilots reported a large drone that filled their aircraft windscreen.
Sources used: "Express", "Mirror", "Daily Star", "Sky News", "Metro", "BBC", "Daily Mail"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
