Flights in and out of two major Scandinavian hubs, Oslo and Copenhagen, faced severe disruptions after multiple sightings of unidentified drones near the airports.
The incidents, which unfolded late Monday and into Tuesday, caused a wave of delays, cancellations, and diversions, affecting hundreds of passengers.
Drone sightings disrupt flights in Norway, Denmark
Copenhagen Airport was forced to halt all air traffic around 8:30 p.m. local time on Monday following reports of “two to three unidentified” drones in the vicinity.
“No flights were allowed to take off or land,” an airport spokesperson confirmed. The Danish police described the objects as “large” drones, raising further concern.
As of 11:17 p.m., the drones were still hovering near the airport, according to an update shared on X (formerly Twitter). Normal operations resumed by 12:20 a.m. local time, but the airport warned travellers to expect continued delays and some cancellations.
Flight Chaos Across Denmark and Southern Sweden
The airspace closure triggered a domino effect across the region:
- Departures from Copenhagen were either delayed or scrapped entirely.
- Incoming flights were redirected to other Danish airports.
- Several planes were rerouted to Sweden’s Gothenburg and Malmö airports.
A spokesperson from Copenhagen Police told CNN that as of 10:15 p.m., “no arrests had been made and an investigation was underway.”
Travelling to Scandinavia this week? Be prepared for residual delays across regional airports following drone activity that disrupted key hubs in Norway and Denmark.
Europe on edge:
•Copenhagen Airport shut down after drone sightings
•Drones reported over Oslo, Stockholm & Copenhagen
•Norway sounds air alert
•Sweden’s Defense Minister: Order is to shoot down Russian jets if they violate airspace pic.twitter.com/ZqoNKS1JfJ— Sarcasm Scoop (@sarcasm_scoop) September 22, 2025
Fresh Drone Activity in Oslo
Tuesday morning brought more disruptions, this time in Norway. Authorities at Oslo Airport shut down the airspace due to yet another drone sighting.
“This means that incoming flights are now being redirected to the nearest airport,” confirmed Monica Iren Fasting, Communications Manager at Oslo Airport.
An investigation is now in progress. The Norwegian police are handling the matter with urgency, given the heightened sensitivity surrounding drone use near critical infrastructure.
Earlier Arrests Near Oslo Castle
Interestingly, before the Tuesday disruption, Norwegian police had already arrested two foreign nationals for flying drones over a restricted area near Akershus Fortress, a medieval landmark that often hosts state events.
There is no current indication that this earlier event is connected to the Copenhagen Airport drones incident or the latest airspace violation in Oslo.
Rising Drone-Related Tensions Across Europe
The surge in drone activity comes at a time when European airspace is on high alert.
Earlier this month, Russian drones were reported violating airspace in Poland and Romania, prompting NATO members to strengthen surveillance and air defence across the eastern flank.
For now, there is “no indication” that the drones seen in Norway or Denmark are linked to Russian activities, but the timing has raised eyebrows within defence and intelligence circles.
A Wake-Up Call for Nordic Aviation?
Passengers flying to or from Denmark and Norway are advised to:
- Check with airlines before travel
- Monitor airport announcements
- Expect minor delays over the coming days
As authorities continue to investigate the Copenhagen Airport drones attack incident and the broader pattern of drone-related airport closures, the spotlight now shifts to how well Europe can protect its skies from this modern menace.
