Air carrier flights in Denmark and Norway were disrupted overnight after unidentified drones were spotted near major airports, prompting authorities to suspend taxi and flight operations temporarily.
Between two and three large drones were seen flying in the area surrounding Copenhagen Airport, according to authorities, who suspended take-offs and landings from around 8:36 p.m. local time (1836 UTC).
FlightRadar said that around 35 flights had been diverted to alternate airports as of 10:05 p.m. local (2005 UTC).
A statement on X by Copenhagen police read: “The airport is currently closed for take-off and landing, as 2-3 large drones have been seen flying in the area. The time frame is currently unknown.”
“Police are investigating the matter. Until they have more information, the airspace is closed,” a spokesperson told local media, adding, “We hope that passengers can soon depart and land safely.”
An airport spokesperson also told Reuters that police were working to identify the drones but declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation.
At 11:17 p.m. local (2117 UTC), a statement by Copenhagen Airport on X read: “There are still unidentified drones around Copenhagen Airport. Therefore, no planes can take off or land.”
Flights are reportedly being diverted to neighboring airports, including Malmö, Billund, Aarhus, and Gothenburg.
A similar incident occurred at Gardermoen Airport in Oslo. The airport’s airspace was closed for several hours after drones were detected nearby, Avinor, Norway’s air operator, told NRK on Tuesday.
Several flights were diverted, including a Paris-to-Oslo flight that was rerouted to Copenhagen’s Kastrup Airport. Passengers reported travel delays but said the flights resumed normally despite diverting to alternate airfields.
Police in Oslo said it had detained two people overnight in connection with unauthorized drone flights in the city center. Authorities in Denmark and Norway are coordinating to determine whether the two incidents are linked.
This comes after travel at several major European airports, including Brussels, Berlin, and London Heathrow, was disrupted over the weekend and on Monday due to a cyberattack.