Denmark’s aviation authorities have reported unusual drone activity at several airports, prompting the closure of Aalborg Airport. This northern Danish airport, which handles both commercial and military flights, was temporarily shut as a precaution. Danish police confirmed early Thursday that three smaller airports in Denmark had also reported drone sightings, though they remained operational.
Denmark Airports Face Unidentified Drone Activity
The closure at Aalborg follows a similar incident at Denmark’s main Copenhagen Airport, which had to halt operations temporarily due to multiple large drones spotted in its airspace. Authorities in Denmark are taking these incidents seriously, given the potential risks drones can pose to both civilian and military aircraft.
Officials reported that observers sighted more than one drone near Aalborg Airport, located in the Jutland region, Denmark’s fourth-largest city by population. The drones flew with lights on and first appeared around 9:44 pm local time on Wednesday. They stayed in the airspace for several hours before departing, creating uncertainty among pilots and airport staff.
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The Danish police emphasized that they do not yet know the drones’ purpose or the actors behind them. While authorities have not ruled out a prank, they launched an intensive investigation to identify the source of the drones. The Danish armed forces are assisting both local and national police in managing the situation. Officials increased surveillance and monitoring around the airport and nearby airspace to prevent further disruption.
Authorities in Denmark also noted that drone sightings near Aalborg Airport followed a pattern similar to the recent disruptions at Copenhagen Airport. At Copenhagen, multiple unidentified drones appeared near one of Scandinavia’s busiest airports, forcing authorities to halt flights for four hours. Authorities in Denmark are treating these incidents as serious due to the potential threat to both commercial passengers and military operations.
Impact on Denmark’s Aviation and Military Operations
The drone activity caused significant disruptions at Aalborg Airport. Eurocontrol, the European organization overseeing air traffic, reduced arrivals and departures at the airport to zero until 04:00 GMT on Thursday due to safety concerns. The temporary closure also affected Denmark’s armed forces because Aalborg Airport serves as a key military base.
Police later confirmed that observers had sighted drones near airports in Esbjerg, Sonderborg, and Skrydstrup. Skrydstrup Air Base in southern Jutland houses Denmark’s F-16 and F-35 fighter jets, highlighting the potential security implications of such incidents. Danish authorities stressed that they take any unauthorized aerial activity near military installations very seriously.
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Northern Jutland police urged anyone with information about the drones to call them via phone 114. They also confirmed that multiple drones had flown in the area simultaneously and that their movements matched previous sightings at other airports in Denmark. Local residents reported seeing the drones fly low with blinking lights, raising public concern over airspace safety.
Authorities noted that the drone patterns were highly organized, which distinguishes them from ordinary recreational drone flights. Denmark’s aviation authorities continue to coordinate closely with the Danish armed forces to track the drones and assess any potential threat to the country’s airspace.
Denmark and European Response to Drone Incidents
Denmark’s recent drone incidents are part of a broader pattern of airspace violations reported across Europe. Similar drone and aircraft activity has been recorded in Estonia, Poland, and Romania. These events have raised concerns over possible testing of NATO defenses or unauthorized reconnaissance over European territories.
European Commission officials have stated that defending critical infrastructure is a top priority. They also highlighted that shooting down intruding aircraft is a potential option if necessary to protect national security. Meanwhile, authorities in neighboring countries, including Norway and Poland, have temporarily closed airports after detecting drones in their airspace, showing a coordinated response across the region.
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Danish authorities have described the Copenhagen airport incident as the most serious attack on critical infrastructure so far. Police continue to investigate, gathering information on the types of drones used and whether they are linked to previous sightings. Kremlin representatives, however, have denied any involvement, stating that Russian aircraft follow international regulations and do not violate airspace rules.
Denmark’s police and military remain vigilant as investigations continue. While the drones are no longer in Aalborg airspace, authorities are closely monitoring other airports in Denmark to ensure the safety of passengers, aircrew, and military personnel. Surveillance systems remain active, and cooperation between civil and military authorities is ongoing to prevent further airspace disruptions.