Multiple drones prompt closure of Denmark’s Aalborg Airport

Denmark’s Aalborg Airport is currently closed due to drones detected in its airspace, local police reported, two days after Copenhagen Airport, the country’s main aviation hub, was shut following similar drone sightings that disrupted European air travel.

According to Danish national police, cited by foreign media, the drones over Aalborg are following a pattern resembling the ones that halted flights at Copenhagen Airport for four hours earlier this week. The closure is affecting Denmark’s armed forces as well, since Aalborg Airport also serves as a military base.

Authorities noted that the Copenhagen incident on September 23 was the most serious attack yet on Denmark’s critical infrastructure and linked it to a series of suspected Russian drone incursions and other disruptions across Europe. Norway experienced a related disruption when Oslo Airport was forced to close its airspace for three hours on Monday evening after a drone was spotted.

Northern Jutland police told reporters that “more than one drone” has been seen near Aalborg Airport, flying with lights on. The drones were first observed around 9:44 p.m. local time (1944 GMT) on September 24 and remained in the airspace at the time of the briefing. Authorities said they cannot yet specify the type of drones or confirm whether they are the same as those over Copenhagen earlier in the week.

“It is too early to say what the goal of the drones is and who is the actor behind,” a police official stated.

Norwegian and Danish authorities are maintaining close contact regarding the Copenhagen and Oslo incidents, but investigations have not yet confirmed a direct connection, Norway’s foreign minister said on Wednesday.

Eurocontrol, which manages European air traffic, reported that arrivals and departures at Aalborg Airport are temporarily suspended due to the drone activity nearby.

Police confirmed that three flights have been diverted to other airports and emphasised that there is no danger to passengers at Aalborg Airport or residents in the surrounding area. Investigations at the site are ongoing.

Local media, citing police in South and South Jutland, reported that drones had been spotted near three other airports - in Esbjerg, Sønderborg and Skridstrup.

Danish F-16 and F-35 fighter jets are based at Skridstrup Air Base.