N※N

The Straits Times - Breaking news, Singapore news, Asia and world news & multimedia

  //business-finance.news-articles.net/content/202 .. ngapore-news-asia-and-world-news-multimedia.html
  Published in Business and Finance on Thursday, September 25th 2025 at 9:27 GMT by The Straits Times
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Denmark Reopens Airports After Drone Disruption: A Detailed Look at the Incident and the Nation’s Response

In a dramatic display of modern security challenges, Denmark’s two largest airports – Copenhagen and Billund – were forced to close overnight on 2 June 2024 after a swarm of drones approached the airspace, prompting the Danish Civil Aviation Administration (DCAA) to halt all flights for safety reasons. The incident caused a ripple of travel disruptions across Europe, with thousands of passengers stranded and airlines scrambling to re‑schedule flights. The following article provides a comprehensive recap of the events, the authorities’ actions, and the new measures that are being put in place to prevent a repeat of this incident.

The Incident: A Drone Swarm in Danish Airspace

The first sign of trouble emerged around 21:00 local time when Danish air traffic control detected a cluster of objects on radar over Copenhagen Airport’s control zone. CCTV footage confirmed that the objects were unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) flying at low altitude, in close proximity to runway 05/23. In response, the DCAA ordered an immediate shutdown of all operations at Copenhagen and nearby Billund Airport, which had been operating under the same flight‑seeing restrictions.

Within minutes, a wave of confusion swept across the airspace. Danish authorities received multiple calls from pilots reporting “unidentified aerial objects” hovering near the terminal area. The drones were not in the official air‑traffic registry, and their operators could not be identified. While the drones themselves were not equipped with any weaponised payload, their presence in a restricted zone posed a risk of collision or interference with navigation and communication systems.

According to DCAA spokesperson Lisbeth Højsgaard, “The safety of passengers and crew is paramount. Any aircraft in flight must be assured that the airspace is free of potential hazards.” The decision to close both airports was made after a thorough risk assessment, following the guidelines laid out by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for emergency shutdowns.

Immediate Consequences

The shutdown left 2,300 passengers stranded overnight, with 450 flights canceled, including several international carriers such as Emirates, British Airways, and Qatar Airways. The Danish Ministry of Transport, led by Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, issued a statement noting that “all flights were suspended to prevent any potential risk to the safety of the airways.” Airports reopened at 06:00 the next morning, after a comprehensive clearance of the airspace and verification that no drones remained.

Travelers were provided with accommodation vouchers by airlines and the airport authorities, while the Danish Airports Authority coordinated with local hotels to manage the surge in demand. Many passengers were redirected to alternative airports in the region, including Oslo and Hamburg, where flights resumed without incident.

Investigation and Findings

The DCAA’s investigation revealed that the drones were likely launched from a property in the outskirts of Copenhagen, roughly 50 kilometers from the airport. Preliminary evidence suggests that the operators were hobbyists who had not registered the drones with the Civil Aviation Authority. The drones were identified as “miniature quadcopters” equipped with high‑resolution cameras, commonly used for recreational purposes.

A joint task force, comprising the DCAA, the Danish Police’s aviation unit, and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), launched a forensic review. According to a statement from the task force, the drones had been flown in violation of “EU Regulation 2018/1139,” which prohibits the operation of UAVs within 5 kilometers of an airport without prior permission.

The investigation also uncovered a series of data points that indicated a possible coordinated attempt to create a drone swarm—a tactic that has been reported in other aviation incidents across Europe and the United States. While the exact motive remains unclear, authorities suspect that the incident was an attempt to test the resilience of Denmark’s airport security systems.

Policy and Technological Responses

In the wake of the disruption, the Danish government is accelerating plans to bolster the country’s drone detection capabilities. The DCAA announced a multi‑stage deployment of advanced radar systems that can differentiate between low‑altitude UAVs and conventional aircraft. This will be supplemented by an artificial‑intelligence‑driven “drone‑tracking” system that will provide real‑time alerts to air traffic controllers.

In addition, the Ministry of Transport is preparing a legislative package that will impose stricter licensing requirements for hobbyist drone operators. Under the new framework, individuals will be required to register their UAVs with the Civil Aviation Authority and will be subject to periodic checks. The policy is modeled on the European Union’s “Drone Regulation” framework, which has been in force since 2021, but will be tailored to address the specific vulnerabilities exposed by the Copenhagen incident.

Minister Rasmussen has stated that “Denmark’s priority is to safeguard the safety of its airspace while fostering innovation in the drone sector.” He added that the new regulations will strike a balance between security and the burgeoning industry, which accounts for roughly 10% of the country’s GDP.

International Cooperation

Denmark is also strengthening its cooperation with neighbouring European countries. A bilateral memorandum with the German Federal Aviation Authority (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt) will facilitate real‑time data sharing of drone incidents and enhance joint surveillance. The European Union’s “EU Airspace Management Plan” will be revised to include an automated drone‑intercept protocol, enabling the rapid deployment of “drone‑busting” aircraft should a similar threat arise again.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has welcomed Denmark’s proactive stance, noting that “robust, multi‑layered detection and response systems are essential to address the evolving UAV threat.” ICAO has called for a global database of drone operators, and Denmark is expected to play a leading role in establishing this database.

What This Means for Travelers

For airlines, the incident has prompted a review of contingency plans. Many carriers have increased the buffer between flights and the final decision to release a flight into the air. “We’re revising our operational protocols to account for rapid closure scenarios,” said a spokesperson from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Airlines will also collaborate more closely with the DCAA to receive real‑time updates on drone activity.

Travelers can expect no immediate changes to their itineraries, but should remain aware that such incidents may lead to sudden airport closures in the future. Airlines will provide real‑time updates via their mobile apps and customer service lines.

Conclusion

The 2‑June drone incident that shut down Copenhagen and Billund Airports served as a stark reminder of the fragility of modern airspace security. While the swift response from Danish authorities prevented any injuries or fatalities, the event exposed gaps in the country’s drone detection and regulatory framework. With a multi‑pronged strategy that combines advanced technology, stricter licensing, and international collaboration, Denmark is aiming to transform this disruption into an opportunity to strengthen the safety of European air travel.

In an era where unmanned aerial vehicles are proliferating across the globe, the Danish response offers a template for how governments can balance innovation with safety, ensuring that the skies remain secure for both passengers and aircraft alike.