Major airports in Norway and Denmark have experienced significant disruptions due to multiple drone sightings near runways, resulting in widespread delays and cancellations. In Denmark, Copenhagen Airport, the busiest in the Nordic region, was affected after two or three large drones were spotted, prompting the closure of airspace at 8:30 pm local time. This halted all take-offs and landings, impacting approximately 30 departures and 20,000 passengers.
According to Copenhagen police deputy assistant commissioner Jakob Hansen, an intensive investigation has been launched to determine the type of drones involved. As of 10:15 pm, no arrests had been made, and the drones had disappeared. Airspace reopened at 12:20 am on Tuesday, but airport officials warned that delays and cancellations would continue.
In Norway, Oslo Airport closed its airspace from midnight after a drone was spotted, according to a spokesperson for airport operator Avinor. All departing flights were canceled or delayed, while arrivals were redirected to Gothenburg and Malmo in Sweden until the airport reopened at around 3:22 am on Tuesday.
The police in Denmark and Norway are cooperating to investigate potential links between the incidents. Meanwhile, Oslo Police arrested two Singaporean nationals accused of flying drones over the Akershus Fortress, a medieval castle used for government events. However, it remains unclear whether this case is connected to the airport disruption.
These incidents occur just days after major European airports faced electronic check-in and boarding outages, causing widespread delays and cancellations. London’s Heathrow, as well as airports in Berlin and Brussels, were affected, resulting in 73 canceled flights. Several media outlets linked the issue to a cyberattack on service provider Collins Aerospace.
The disruptions at Norwegian and Danish airports underscore the need for enhanced security measures to prevent such incidents. Authorities in both countries are working together to determine the cause of the drone sightings and to prevent future occurrences. As the investigation continues, passengers can expect residual delays and cancellations, highlighting the significance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in addressing these incidents.
