COPENHAGEN/MUNICH  – In recent weeks, sightings of unidentified drones over European airports have caused major disruptions to air traffic. In Munich, for example, the airport was closed several times overnight for hours after drones were spotted over runways. On one such night, 17 departures were canceled and 15 arrivals diverted to other airports — affecting around 3,000 passengers.

Copenhagen Airport also had to shut down for several hours in recent weeks after two to three large drones were sighted performing deliberate maneuvers — switching lights on and off and flying in controlled patterns. About 31 flights were diverted and nearly 100 delayed, impacting some 20,000 passengers.

These incidents are part of a wider series of drone flyovers of critical infrastructure across Europe — including military installations in Belgium, Norway and Poland.

Impact on Airlines: Costs, Delays and Reputational Damage

The consequences for airlines are severe: canceled and diverted flights mean not only lost revenue, but also additional costs for hotels, food, and relocating crews and ground staff. Many carriers had to make last-minute arrangements, rerouting or cutting flights — a logistical challenge of the highest order.

In the longer term, airlines risk losing passenger trust, facing higher insurance premiums and new regulatory burdens. Entire flight schedules and hub connections can be disrupted, potentially undermining Europe’s air traffic networks if more airports are affected.

Authorities Respond: Demands, Measures, Open Questions

Bavaria: Söder Calls for “Shoot on Sight”

Bavarian Premier Markus Söder took a hard line, demanding that unidentified drones be shot down immediately upon sighting — a strong appeal that has sparked debate over civilian versus military responsibilities.

Germany: Police, Military and Legal Changes

Germany is moving toward closer cooperation between police and the Bundeswehr. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced plans to fast-track legislation allowing police to request military support for counter-drone operations — including authorization to shoot down drones under certain conditions.

Despite extensive searches by helicopters and ground units, no evidence has yet been found identifying the drones’ origin or operators. Responsibility for drone detection and defense in Germany currently lies with a patchwork of federal and state police units, supported by specialized teams.

Denmark / Scandinavia: Bans, Alerts and NATO Involvement

Denmark responded with sweeping measures: civilian drone flights were banned nationwide for several days. Authorities classified the incidents as a hybrid attack on critical infrastructure and said the drones must have been controlled by a “capable operator.”

As current holder of the EU Council presidency, Denmark used the crisis to push security and defense higher on the European agenda.

NATO also stepped in: the Baltic Sentry mission was expanded, with additional air, sea and surveillance assets deployed in the Baltic region.  A new Eastern Sentry operation was also launched to strengthen the alliance’s eastern flank following repeated airspace incursions, including in Poland.

Who Is Behind the Drones? Clues, Evidence, Speculation

Although no group has claimed responsibility, many Western security officials suspect the incidents are linked to Russian hybrid strategies:

• Pattern and Timing: The flyovers followed strategic patterns unlikely to be random — targeted night-time incursions over sensitive areas, with light signals and deliberate maneuvers.
• Parallels to Russia’s Drone Operations: In mid-September, a large fleet of suspected Russian drones breached Polish airspace — some were shot down by NATO forces, prompting Poland to invoke Article 4. Analysts see clear similarities.
• Putin’s Mockery: President Vladimir Putin publicly mocked the disruptions, even joking he would “no longer fly drones over Denmark” — remarks widely interpreted in Western media as deliberate provocation.
• Moscow’s Denial: Russia has strongly denied any involvement, dismissing the accusations as baseless.
• Possible Maritime Launch Points: Analysts speculate the drones may have been launched from vessels in international waters — possibly from “shadow fleets” used in other hybrid operations.
• Lack of Direct Evidence: Despite ongoing investigations, no physical drone wreckage, control signals, or operators have been identified that definitively link the incidents to Russia. Officials stress the need for forensic evidence before drawing formal conclusions.

Taken together, the signs point more toward a deliberate campaign of provocation than random civilian activity — a hybrid tactic designed to embarrass and pressure European authorities.

A Symbol of Powerlessness? Public Trust and Political Implications

The ongoing uncertainty about the drones’ origin and intent undermines public trust in governments’ ability to defend national airspace. The incidents are not only a direct security threat but also a political signal — a show of weakness in the heart of Europe, with implications for NATO and transatlantic relations.

While airlines count financial losses and passengers vent frustration, governments face growing pressure: immediate countermeasures on the one hand, long-term strategies on the other. Calls for “shoot on sight” rules, for a pan-European counter-drone defense system, and for tighter NATO coordination are getting louder. At the same time, many warn against uncontrolled escalation and sovereignty conflicts. (zai)