Drones Force Aalborg Airport Closure: Second Incident Within a Week
aalborg, donderdag, 25 september 2025.
Following recent reports of drones in the airspace, Aalborg Airport in Denmark had to close for the second time within a week. This incident, which followed a similar occurrence in Copenhagen, caused significant delays and cancellations. The police are investigating the situation and working with national and international authorities. Although the origin and number of drones remain unknown, there is suspicion of Russian involvement, though this has not been confirmed. The situation is seen as a serious threat to aviation infrastructure in Europe.
Drones Force Aalborg Airport Closure: Second Incident Within a Week
Following recent reports of drones in the airspace, Aalborg Airport in Denmark had to close for the second time within a week. This incident, which followed a similar occurrence in Copenhagen, caused significant delays and cancellations. The police are investigating the situation and working with national and international authorities. Although the origin and number of drones remain unknown, there is suspicion of Russian involvement, though this has not been confirmed. The situation is seen as a serious threat to aviation infrastructure in Europe [1][2][3].
Closed Airspace: Impact on Flights and Passengers
The airspace around Aalborg Airport was closed on the order of Eurocontrol, the European air traffic management organisation, for safety reasons. According to the North Jutland Police, the drones were first observed around 21:30 local time, after which the airspace was closed. The last drone was observed at 00:54. During the closure, at least four flights operated by Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), Norwegian Airlines, and KLM were disrupted. Three flights were diverted to other airports, two back to Copenhagen and one to Karup [4].
Concerning Patterns: Connection to Earlier Incidents
These incidents follow a pattern of similar events in recent days. On Monday evening, the airspace around Copenhagen Airport was closed after drones were observed, leading to the cancellation of approximately 100 flights and the disruption of thousands of passengers. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the incident as ‘the most serious attack on critical infrastructure’ in Denmark. Drones were also reported at the airports in Esbjerg, Sønderborg, and Skrydstrup, although these airports continued to operate. The North Jutland and South Jutland Police are investigating the situation on-site and working with national intelligence agencies and the military [1][2][3].
International Reactions and Safety Measures
The international community has reacted with concern to these incidents. The European Commission and NATO have discussed the situation and announced that they will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of aviation infrastructure. President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission spoke about a ‘pattern of ongoing confrontation at our borders’. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasised that the alliance is defensive but not naive, and that they are prepared to use ‘all necessary military and non-military means’ to defend themselves. Russia denies involvement, but NATO and Denmark continue to monitor their activities [1][3].
Safety Measures and Future Steps
To ensure safety, the Danish police are considering the possibility of shooting down drones if it can be done safely. The North Jutland Police have stated that they do not rule out this option, but that they have not brought any drones down so far. Aalborg Airport reopened at 06:00 local time after the drones left the airspace. The police continue to closely monitor the situation and work with international partners to identify the source of the drone activity and prevent future incidents [4].