Berlin Airport Suspends Flights for Two Hours Following Drone Security Threat

Berlin Brandenburg Airport experienced a temporary suspension of flight operations for nearly two hours on Friday following multiple drone sightings in the vicinity, an airport spokesperson confirmed to AFP.

Operations were halted between 8:08 pm and 9:58 pm local time (1908 GMT to 2158 GMT), resulting in numerous flights being diverted to alternative German airports during the closure period.

To minimize disruption to air travel schedules, authorities temporarily lifted Berlin's standard night flight restrictions, the spokesperson explained.

"We believe the threat has been addressed for now," the airport representative stated.

German officials have increasingly expressed concern about the growing drone threat following multiple incidents involving unidentified unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at airports and critical military facilities throughout the year.

This incident follows similar drone-related disruptions at airports across Europe, including Denmark, Norway, and Poland. Romania and Estonia have specifically attributed their incidents to Russia, allegations that Moscow has dismissed.

Germany, a significant NATO ally supporting Ukraine against Russia, has likewise suggested possible Russian involvement in these incidents.

In recent months, multiple UAV sightings have been reported over German military installations, industrial complexes, and critical infrastructure.

Earlier in October, drone appearances over Munich caused two separate shutdowns of the city's airport, affecting thousands of travelers whose flights were either canceled or redirected.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has emphasized the need for Germany to "develop new responses to this hybrid threat," including enhanced capabilities for detecting, evaluating, and potentially neutralizing unauthorized drones.