Aalborg Airport Shuts Down as Drone Sightings Prompt Airspace Closure
Aalborg, denmark – Aalborg Airport in northern Denmark was forced to suspend all incoming and departing flights Wednesday night after drones were observed in its airspace, local police reported. The closure follows similar incidents earlier this week at Copenhagen Airport and, separately, in Norway, raising concerns about potential threats to critical infrastructure.
Nordjyllands Police announced the airspace closure on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Drones have been observed near Aalborg Airport and the airspace is closed. The police are present and investigating further.” Authorities confirmed that more than one drone was sighted, but it remains unclear if they are linked to the disruptions at Copenhagen Airport.
The purpose of the drones and the identity of their operators are currently unknown, though police noted the drones were flying with their lights on. Denmark’s national police indicated the drones followed a similar pattern to those that grounded flights in Copenhagen. Reports of drone sightings have also surfaced in other parts of the contry, including near airports in Esbjerg, Sonderborg, and Skrydstrup – home to Denmark’s F-16 and F-35 fighter jets. The Danish Armed Forces are also affected as they utilize Aalborg Airport as a military base.
As of late Wednesday, police reported the drones were no longer present over Aalborg Airport’s airspace.
The incident at Copenhagen Airport on Monday has been described by the Danish government as the most serious attack yet on its critical infrastructure. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated she “cannot deny” the possibility that the drones seen over Copenhagen were flown by Russia, linking the incidents to a broader pattern of suspected Russian drone incursions and disruptions across Europe.
Norwegian authorities also temporarily closed airspace at Oslo airport earlier this week following a drone sighting. While investigations are ongoing, authorities in Norway and Denmark have not yet established a direct connection between the incidents in both countries.
These disruptions occur amidst wider travel challenges,including meaningful disruption at Heathrow Airport last week following a cyber attack impacting multiple European airports.
