GOTHENBURG, Sweden – Multiple major European airports have faced temporary closures and flight disruptions in recent weeks following a surge in unidentified drone incursions near runways and military installations.
In Sweden, on November 6, the airspace of Gothenburg‑Landvetter Airport was suspended after reports of one or more drones operating in restricted airspace triggered an aviation sabotage investigation. In Belgium, Brussels Airport faced a temporary halt to operations amid sightings of drones near the airport and a nearby military base, prompting high-level government emergency meetings.
Data collected by monitoring services show that at least 18 suspect drones have been spotted in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Germany since September 16. Many of these incidents occurred near airports or important infrastructure, and officials warn of persistent, possibly coordinated activity.
Authorities are raising an alarm that these incursions may constitute a form of “hybrid attack” on critical infrastructure, especially given the timing and locations of the drone activity. Denmark’s defence ministry described some of the incidents as just that.
In response to the disruptions, countries such as Belgium are stepping up efforts to reinforce aerial surveillance and deploy counter-drone technology. Belgium’s Defence Minister announced the establishment of a national air security centre and interim measures, such as jamming unauthorised drones.
The growing threat has triggered broader concern in the aviation sector. Experts warn that even a single drone incursion near a runway is enough to force shutdowns and costly delays, and the fragmented nature of European airspace makes coordinated counter-measures more challenging.
With investigations ongoing, the identity and origin of many drones remain unknown. Some officials suspect Russian involvement, though no definitive attribution has been made public.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
- EDGARDO HERNAL
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