Denmark temporarily shut down Copenhagen’s Kastrup Airport for around four hours late Monday after spotting two or three large drones flying over the airfield, resulting in extensive delays and diversions across Scandinavia, authorities said.
Danish police later described the operators as a “capable actor”.
Copenhagen Airport stated flights resumed early Tuesday but warned of lingering disruptions and requested passengers check with airlines for flight status. The closure began around 8:26 p.m. local time, with dozens of flights diverted and some 20,000 passengers affected, according to tallies reported by Reuters . Police never fired at the drones out of concerns about ground safety.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen labelled the incursion as “the most serious attack to date on Danish critical infrastructure,” and said all parties, including Russia, were not being ruled out by the authorities, DPA reports. The investigators said the drones cycled lights on and off and dissipated before they could be tracked. The head police inspector said the timing, number and size suggested an experienced operator with the equipment, motive and ability to conduct the operation.
Norway briefly shut airspace over the country’s capital airport overnight after sightings of drones, with some flights redirected prior to the return of normal operations, AeroTime said, quoting Avinor that operates the airport and Norwegian media. The police in Denmark and Norway said they would collaborate to determine whether the incidents are connected.
It followed a similar cyberattack last week that caused check-in systems at major European airports like Heathrow, Berlin and Brussels to become blocked, adding to the already difficult time for air travellers and airlines.
No immediate suspects were named by authorities. Frederiksen said the event was part of a trend of drone sightings, airspace incursions and cyber-attacks that have slowed northern Europe in recent months, and NATO officials cautioned against jumping to conclusions until the investigation is over, AP reported. Passengers were informed to expect extended delays on Tuesday.
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