Copenhagen and Oslo Airports Briefly Grounded by Unidentified Drone Activity

Copenhagen Airport and Oslo Airport experienced significant disruptions on September 22, 2025, with temporary suspensions of operations due to the presence of unidentified drones. The coordinated events led to flight delays, diversions, and heightened concerns about European airspace security.

Copenhagen Airport was closed for approximately four hours, starting around 8:30 p.m. local time. Danish police reported observing three to four large, unidentified drones near the airport. Deputy Police Inspector Jakob Hansen of the Copenhagen Police described the operator as "a capable operator." The drones eventually departed, allowing airport operations to resume in the early hours of September 23, 2025, though the impact on passengers and schedules was considerable.

Simultaneously, Oslo Airport also halted its operations. Airspace restrictions began around midnight local time, following reports of two separate drone sightings. Operations at Oslo Airport were restored by approximately 3:15 a.m. on September 23, 2025. Passengers at both airports faced significant inconvenience, with many flights diverted or canceled, affecting thousands of travelers.

The precise nature and origin of the drones are currently under investigation by authorities in both Denmark and Norway. These incidents are part of a broader pattern of escalating concerns regarding airspace security in Europe, with similar reports of unauthorized drone activity in Estonia, Poland, and Romania in recent weeks. The events are occurring amidst heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, increasing scrutiny of potential threats to national and regional security.

The coordinated nature of these drone sightings across two major Nordic hubs suggests a sophisticated and potentially deliberate effort to disrupt air travel. Authorities are actively investigating, examining the origin and intent of the drones, and exploring any potential connections between arrested individuals in Oslo and the airport closures. These events highlight the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to such threats and the ongoing challenge for aviation authorities and law enforcement to effectively manage the increasing presence of drones in shared airspace. The drone services market is projected to reach $63.3 billion by 2025, underscoring the growing need for robust anti-drone technologies and protocols to ensure air travel safety and security.