Two of Scandinavia’s busiest airports, Oslo and Copenhagen, were forced to halt operations for several hours due to drone sightings overnight into Tuesday, causing travel disruptions for tens of thousands of passengers.
At Copenhagen Airport, airspace was closed for nearly four hours on Monday night after authorities spotted two to three large “unidentified” drones in the vicinity, preventing flights from taking off or landing.
“We have concluded that this was what we would call a capable operator,” Danish police Chief Superintendent Jens Jespersen told reporters on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
The drones approached from multiple directions, intermittently switching their lights on and off, before vanishing after several hours, Jespersen explained.
“It’s an actor who has the capabilities, the will and the tools to show off in this way,” he added, noting that no suspects have been identified so far.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, when questioned about the incident, said she “cannot reject in any way that it could be Russia” behind the activity.
Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the broader implications, posting on social media, “While the facts are still being established, it is clear we are witnessing a pattern of persistent contestation at our borders. Our critical infrastructure is at risk. And Europe will respond to this threat with strength and determination.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed any allegations, calling them “unfounded.” He said, “Making unfounded accusations every time leads to the continuation of such statements no longer being taken into account. Our aircraft are guided by international regulations in all their flights and do not violate them in any way. Any accusations directed at our military that some borders are allegedly being violated by our aircraft have never once been supported by solid and reliable data or evidence.”
Copenhagen Airport, which handles nearly 30 million passengers annually, reopened around 12:20 a.m. local time (6:20 p.m. ET), though officials warned of potential delays and cancellations.
Incoming flights had been rerouted to other Danish airports, as well as Gothenburg and Malmö in Sweden, according to airport authorities.
In Norway, Oslo Airport experienced a separate three-hour closure on Tuesday morning following a drone sighting.
“This means that incoming flights are now being redirected to the nearest airport,” Communication Manager Monica Iren Fasting told CNN.
The airport reopened around 3:22 a.m. local time (8:22 p.m. ET), Reuters reported. Police said they were investigating the incident.
Earlier on Monday, two foreign nationals were arrested in Oslo for flying drones over a restricted area, Norwegian media reported.
The drones had flown over the Akershus Fortress, a medieval castle occasionally used for government events. Authorities have not confirmed any link to the incidents at Oslo or Copenhagen airports.
Europe remains on high alert after Russian drones violated Polish and Romanian airspace earlier this month, prompting NATO allies to strengthen defenses along the bloc’s eastern borders.
