Early Thursday morning, local police reported that Aalborg Airport in Denmark was closed after drones were spotted in its airspace. This comes just two days after Copenhagen Airport, the country’s main air hub, was also shut down due to drone sightings, causing concern across European aviation.
Danish police noted that the drones at Aalborg followed a pattern similar to those that disrupted flights in Copenhagen for several hours earlier in the week. Aalborg Airport also serves as a military base, so the incident affected the armed forces as well.
On Tuesday, Danish authorities described the Copenhagen airport incident as the most serious attack to date on the country’s critical infrastructure and suggested a possible link to a series of suspected Russian drone incursions and other disturbances across Europe.
In a related event, Norwegian officials closed the airspace around Oslo Airport for about three hours on Monday evening after a drone was observed in the area.
Police in Northern Jutland confirmed that multiple drones with their lights on were seen near Aalborg Airport. The drones were first spotted around 9:44 p.m. on Wednesday and were still in the airspace as of a police briefing held at 12:05 a.m. Thursday.
Authorities said they could not yet identify the type of drones or determine whether they were the same as those seen over Copenhagen earlier in the week. A police official stated that it was too early to speculate about the purpose of the drones or who might be operating them.
Norwegian and Danish officials are coordinating closely regarding the incidents in Oslo and Copenhagen, but Norway’s foreign minister said Wednesday that no direct connection has been established so far.
Eurocontrol, which manages European air traffic, announced that arrivals and departures at Aalborg would remain suspended until 4:00 a.m. GMT on Thursday due to the drone activity.
Police are continuing their investigation on-site and have assured the public that there is no danger to passengers or local residents. Three flights have been diverted to other airports as a result of the closure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the recent drone sightings at Scandinavian airports designed to sound natural and provide clear direct answers
FAQs Drone Sightings at Scandinavian Airports
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What happened at the Danish airport
A drone was spotted flying illegally near the airport which forced officials to temporarily close the runway and halt all air traffic for safety reasons
2 Why is a drone near an airport such a big problem
Drones pose a serious collision risk to aircraft especially during takeoff and landing Even a small drone can cause significant damage to an airplane engine or windshield potentially leading to a disaster
3 Which airports were affected
A Danish airport was closed This incident happened just two days after similar drone sightings disrupted flights at the major international airports in Copenhagen Denmark and Oslo Norway
4 Who is flying these drones near airports
Authorities do not yet know It could be irresponsible hobbyists unaware of the laws or it could be a deliberate act of mischief or disruption Investigations are ongoing
5 Is it illegal to fly a drone near an airport
Yes it is extremely illegal Airports have strict NoFly Zones for drones Violating these rules can result in heavy fines and criminal charges
Advanced Practical Questions
6 How do airports detect unauthorized drones
Airports use a combination of methods including specialized radar systems radio frequency scanners to detect the drones signal and advanced cameras with acoustic sensors to pinpoint their location
7 What happens to flights when a drone is spotted
As a safety precaution air traffic control will typically pause all takeoffs and landings This is called a ground stop Incoming flights may be held at their origin or diverted to other airports until the airspace is declared safe
8 What can be done to stop a rogue drone
Security forces have several counterdrone technologies These can include jamming the drones radio signal to force it to land using nets to capture it midair or in some cases using directed energy to disable it
9 What should I do if I see a drone flying near an airport
Do not try to confront the operator or interfere with the drone yourself Immediately report it
