Aalborg Airport Shuts Down After Drone Sightings, Echoing Copenhagen Incident

Denmark's second major airport, Aalborg, was forced to shut down all air traffic on Thursday after drones were spotted in its airspace.

Copenhagen, Denmark: Denmark's second major airport, Aalborg, was forced to shut down all air traffic on Thursday after drones were spotted in its airspace, mirroring a similar and more protracted disruption at Copenhagen Airport earlier in the week. The incidents have prompted a nationwide security alert and a multi-agency investigation involving Denmark’s national intelligence service, the armed forces, and international partners.

The closure of Aalborg Airport, a dual-use facility serving both commercial flights and the Danish military, came after multiple drones were seen flying with lights on near the airfield. According to Northern Jutland police, the sightings began at approximately 9:44 pm on Wednesday and continued into the early hours of Thursday, leading to a "zero rate" for all arrivals and departures, as confirmed by Eurocontrol, the European air traffic management agency.

This disruption follows a four-hour halt of flights at Copenhagen Airport on Monday due to a similar drone incursion. Authorities have noted that the drones observed in Aalborg followed a pattern consistent with the Copenhagen incident, raising concerns about a coordinated campaign targeting Denmark's critical infrastructure.

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The Danish military confirmed its involvement, assisting local and national police in the ongoing investigation. The incident also brought to light similar sightings at other strategic locations, including airports in Esbjerg, Sonderborg, and Skrydstrup—the base for Denmark's F-16 and F-35 fighter jets—indicating a potentially broader security challenge.

Wider European Context

The Danish drone incidents are not isolated. Norway's Oslo Airport also experienced a three-hour closure on Monday due to a drone sighting. The Norwegian National Police Commissioner, Thorkild Fogde, stated that while many drone reports are benign, some, like the one in Aalborg, are of significant interest to law enforcement and the military.

The timing and nature of these events have raised alarm bells across Europe. Denmark has termed the Copenhagen incident "the most serious attack yet" on its critical infrastructure. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has described the drone activity as part of a "pattern of persistent contestation at our borders."

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While investigators are still working to determine the origin and motive behind the drone incursions, the focus has increasingly turned to geopolitical tensions. Suspicions have been directed towards Russia, with Danish and other European authorities looking into possible links between the recent drone activity and other suspected Russian incursions. However, Russia's ambassador to Denmark has dismissed these allegations as "ungrounded."

As the investigation continues, authorities are working with international partners, including their counterparts in Norway, to establish any connections between the events. Police have stated that while they would take down drones if possible, there is no immediate danger to passengers or local residents. The closures at Aalborg resulted in three flights being diverted to other airports, causing delays but no major disruptions to passenger safety. The unfolding situation highlights the growing security vulnerabilities posed by sophisticated, unsanctioned drone activity and the urgent need for a coordinated international response.