Late on Monday, Copenhagen's Kastrup Airport suspended all flights for four hours after a drone was spotted in its airspace, affecting some 20,000 passengers. From honeymooners to business travellers, many found plans grounded as operations resumed only into the following day.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the incident as "a serious attack on Danish critical infrastructure," warning that it fits into a pattern of hybrid threats sweeping across Europe. "We've seen drones over Poland, activity in Romania, violations of Estonian airspace, cyberattacks on European airports—now this in Denmark and Norway," she told reporters.
The Danish National Police have activated their National Operational Staff at its lowest level, boosting surveillance and inter-agency coordination. Authorities are actively investigating, treating the shutdown as a deliberate drone attack and not a technical fault.
In Oslo, Norway's Gardermoen Airport faced a similar closure around midnight, ending at 3:30 a.m. Flights were diverted to alternate airports, stranding passengers overnight. Norway's Police Security Service is liaising with Danish counterparts to explore possible links between the two incidents.
Experts say these events highlight a shift in security landscapes where low-cost drones and cyber tactics blend into "hybrid attacks"—targeting vital transport hubs to create disruption. Data from aviation analysts show a 30% rise in drone-related airspace alerts across Europe in the past year.
As Europe races to bolster airspace monitoring and cyber defenses, travellers and industry stakeholders will be watching closely. For young global citizens and digital nomads planning to fly, the message is clear: expect heightened airport checks and stay alert to future advisories.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
