Drone activity forces closure at Aalborg airport as Denmark monitors multiple airfields

Aalborg airport in northern Denmark was closed Thursday after unauthorized drones were spotted in its airspace, authorities said, as police and military officials monitored drone activity at several other airfields. Three flights were diverted from Aalborg: two were sent back to Copenhagen, and one returned to Karup. Arrivals and departures at Aalborg were halted until 06:00 local time (04:00 GMT) on Thursday, according to the European air traffic agency responsible for coordinating airspace.

Authorities said Esbjerg, Sønderborg and Skrydstrup, three smaller airports in the country’s southern region, also reported drone activity but were not closed to air traffic. The situation comes after Copenhagen’s Kastrup airport was forced to shut earlier this week following a drone incursion, an incident the Danish prime minister said underscored the new security challenges society must face. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told reporters the episode “says something about the times we live in and what we as a society must be prepared to deal with.”

North Jutland Police said they were closely monitoring the Aalborg situation but declined to speculate on how many drones were involved or who might be behind them. “We cannot yet comment on the purpose of the drones flying in the area, nor can we say anything about who the actor behind it is,” said chief inspector Jesper Bøjgaard Madsen. Police added that they could not rule out the activity being a prank and emphasized that there was no indicated danger to passengers or residents, while urging the public to keep distance from the area. Officials stressed that the drones could be seen from the ground and that authorities would act if necessary to bring the devices down.

At Aalborg, the Danish armed forces were among those affected by the disruption, given that the airport also serves as a military base. Officials noted the broader impact to regional security and air traffic, and they cautioned that more drone sightings could prompt additional closures or delays if deemed necessary by authorities.

The drone episode has fed into a wider regional surge of concern about airspace security. Danish officials and regional partners have publicly mulled the possibility of state or non-state actors exploiting drone technology to disrupt civilian and military infrastructure. While investigators continue to assess the incidents, authorities have stressed that there is no confirmed link to any specific group and that the investigation remains open and ongoing.

Russia’s involvement in drone incursions across Europe has been a persistent, contested claim in recent weeks. In response to the Denmark events, officials did not rule out the possibility of external interference, even as Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described such accusations as unfounded. NATO and allied governments have been calibrating their responses to a perceived uptick in violations of airspace in several member states. NATO has condemned Russia’s actions and warned that the alliance would use “all necessary military and non-military tools” to defend itself, a stance echoed in remarks by alliance leadership.

NATO’s posture has been amplified by a string of cross-border incidents involving Russian drones and air defense challenges reported by nearby states. Last week, Estonia and Poland requested consultations with NATO members after Russia reportedly breached their airspace, while Romania also said Russian drones breached its airspace. Russia has denied Estonia’s accusation and suggested that the Polish incursion was not deliberate, with no formal comment issued on the Romanian case. In a related development, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, speaking after a meeting and addressing a UN audience, said the alliance is defensive but not naive and that members must remain vigilant in how they monitor and respond to threats. The alliance’s leadership and member governments have stressed unity and readiness as investigations proceed and as airspace security remains a central focus of security discussions.

The Denmark incidents have also intersected with domestic political commentary. After meeting on Tuesday, NATO issued a formal statement condemning Russia’s actions and reiterating the alliance’s resolve to defend member states with both military and non-military tools. The remarks came as questions persist about the methods and scope of foreign interference in European airspace and critical infrastructure, with officials urging restraint and the public to stay informed through official channels. Analysts note that the evolving risk environment tied to drone technology raises complex legal and operational questions for civilian air traffic authorities, military bases and international security frameworks alike, and that rapid verification of drone ethics, registration, and accountability will be essential as the situation unfolds.

Authorities in Denmark said they would continue to investigate the incidents and coordinate with European air traffic authorities to manage risk and restore normal operations as conditions allow. Officials urged the public to remain cautious and to comply with guidance from police and airport authorities as the investigation progresses and as security measures are adjusted to new realities in airspace management.