Drone Activity Disrupts Air Travel in Denmark and Norway
Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup) initially closed at approximately 8:30 PM Monday evening following the detection of multiple drones in its airspace. All departures and arrivals were halted as a notable police operation was launched. The airport remained closed for over four hours, reopening around 12:30 AM Tuesday. At least 50 flights were diverted to alternate airports, including Malmö and Landvetter, during the disruption.
Police identified two to three unidentified, large drones operating in the area beginning around 8:30 PM. According to Copenhagen Police’s Anette Østenfeldt, the drones were observed moving in and out of the airspace, with one sighted over the sea between Denmark and Sweden around 10:30 PM.Authorities confirmed during a Tuesday press conference that the drones were not intercepted and ultimately disappeared on their own.
Deputy Police Inspector Jakob Hansen stated an ”intensive inquiry” is underway, but declined to detail specific investigative measures. Currently, police have no facts regarding the drones’ flight path or destination, expressing a desire to locate them.
Amidst the closure, a SAS aircraft was permitted to land at Kastrup at 11:00 PM despite the airspace restrictions. Naviair, the Danish air traffic service, reported the landing was authorized due to insufficient fuel for redirection.
Shortly after Copenhagen Airport resumed operations, Oslo Airport Gardermoen announced its own closure due to drone activity in its vicinity.
Danish and Norwegian authorities are collaborating to determine if a connection exists between the incidents in both countries. Swedish air traffic is currently expected to operate normally, according to Swedavia’s press service.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyj later stated via X (formerly Twitter) that Russia was responsible for the drones over Denmark, though neither Russia nor Denmark has officially commented on this claim.
