Flights Grounded at a Major European Hub
On Monday, flights at Copenhagen Airport were suspended after two or three large, unidentified airport drones were seen flying in the area.
Consequently, this was a significant security incident for Denmark’s largest airport, as a result of which flights were halted for nearly four hours. About 50 flights were, therefore, diverted to alternate airports, according to a flight-tracking service.
Chaos for Travelers
Furthermore, passengers were left stuck on planes and inside the terminal, with limited information about when they might depart.
For instance, one passenger said she “saw blue lights on the runway” and was told her flight had been rerouted to Sweden, a situation described as “quite scary.”
The widespread disruption, consequently, created a sense of uncertainty and concern among those affected by the delays and cancellations.
The Police Response
The police have launched an intensive investigation to determine the type of drones involved. According to Copenhagen Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jakob Hansen, the Drones at Copenhagen Airport had “disappeared” and had not been taken by authorities.
In addition, a police duty officer later reported that “three or four big drones” were observed flying “back and forth, coming and going.”
Unidentified Drones Cause Alarm
The drones that were spotted were described as being “bigger than what you as a private individual can buy,” thus adding to the mystery surrounding their purpose.
It is also important to note that authorities in Denmark and Norway have pledged to cooperate to determine if a link exists between the two incidents.
Oslo Faces a Parallel Threat
A separate but parallel incident also took place in Oslo, Norway. Oslo Airport shut its airspace from midnight local time due to a drone observation. All flights were, therefore, diverted to the nearest airport, a spokesperson for Norwegian airport operator Avinor told Reuters.
The airport reopened several hours later. While two foreign nationals were arrested for flying a drone over a military site near the city, there is no indication that the incident was connected to the events at the Oslo airport.
International Airspace Violations
The Drones Copenhagen Airport incidents took place amid heightened security concerns over recent Russian airspace violations in Europe.
For instance, NATO allies recently shot down Russian drones over Polish territory, and Russian fighter jets have been accused of violating Estonian and Romanian airspace. Russia’s ambassador to the UN, however, denied these allegations.
A Growing Threat to Aviation
The unprecedented drone incidents at both Copenhagen Airport and Oslo Airport highlight growing vulnerabilities in aviation security, prompting cross-country investigations.
The ease with which large Copenhagen Airport Drones could disrupt a major international hub underscores the urgent need for robust counter-drone technologies and international cooperation.
Conclusion
The unprecedented drone incidents at both Copenhagen Airport and Oslo Airport highlight growing vulnerabilities in aviation security, prompting cross-country investigations.
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