Aalborg Airport Suspends Flights Amid Drone Activity, Following Similar Incident in Copenhagen
Aalborg, Denmark – Aalborg Airport in northern Denmark halted all arrivals and departures Wednesday evening after drones were sighted in its airspace, marking the second such incident in Denmark within two days. Northern Jutland police confirmed the drones were observed with lights on beginning around 9:44 p.m. local time (2:44 p.m. ET) and remained in the area as of a press briefing at 12:05 a.m.Thursday.
Eurocontrol, the European air traffic control agency, stated that the airport would operate at a “zero rate” for arrivals and departures until 9 p.m. ET Thursday due to the ongoing drone activity. Three flights have been diverted to other airports.
The incident follows a disruption at Copenhagen Airport on Monday,where drone sightings led to a three-hour airspace closure. Authorities in Norway also temporarily shut down airspace at Oslo airport on Monday evening following a drone sighting.
While investigations into the Copenhagen and Oslo incidents are ongoing, Norwegian and Danish authorities have not yet established a connection, according to Norway’s foreign minister. Suspicions of russian involvement in the Copenhagen incident were dismissed by Russia’s ambassador to Denmark on Tuesday.
Police in Northern Jutland stated they could not specify the type of drones observed near Aalborg Airport, nor confirm if they were the same as those seen over Copenhagen. “It is too early to say what the goal of the drones is and who is the actor behind,” a police official said, adding that authorities would attempt to disable the drones if possible.
Further drone sightings were reported near airports in Esbjerg, Sonderborg, and Skrydstrup in southern Denmark, according to Southern Jutland police. Skrydstrup is home to Denmark’s F-16 and F-35 fighter jets.
National police commissioner Thorkild Fogde noted a critically important increase in drone sighting reports nationwide as Monday,with some requiring further examination. Police are collaborating with national intelligence services, the armed forces, and international authorities.
Authorities have stated there is no immediate danger to passengers at Aalborg Airport or residents in the surrounding area.
