Copenhagen Airport Shuts Down After Drone Sightings, Over 190 Flights Disrupted

Copenhagen Airport, Scandinavia’s busiest hub, was forced to close its airspace for four hours on Monday night after sightings of two to three large drones near restricted zones. The shutdown, which began around 8:30 pm CEST on September 22, disrupted more than 190 flights, diverted 51 incoming aircraft to nearby airports such as Malmö, and left thousands of passengers stranded. Operations gradually resumed by 12:30 am on September 23, but delays continued into Tuesday morning.
Police described the drones as “sophisticated and not toy-like,” raising concerns about aviation security. Despite a significant emergency response, the drones disappeared on their own, and no arrests have been made. Authorities have not identified the source of the drones, but investigators suspect the operator may have used advanced technology.
The incident coincided with a brief closure at Oslo Airport the same night, affecting 30 flights, prompting speculation about a possible link. The timing has fueled wider security concerns amid NATO’s heightened alert over Russian drone incursions and recent cyberattacks on European airports.
The disruption echoes the 2018 Gatwick Airport incident in the UK, which stranded more than 140,000 passengers. As inquiries continue, Copenhagen authorities have urged travelers to check airline updates while investigations remain ongoing.