Drones Disrupt Flights in Denmark and Norway, Airports Shut Down

(DENMARK, NORWAY) Drones disrupted flights and forced overnight closures at two of Scandinavia’s busiest hubs as Copenhagen Airport and Oslo Airport halted operations for several hours between September 23 and 24, 2025. Authorities said large drones entered controlled airspace, triggering immediate safety procedures, runway shutdowns, and widespread knock-on delays. While flights resumed in the early hours of September 24, cancellations and diversions stretched into the next day, affecting thousands of travelers whose journeys included onward connections across Europe and beyond.

Officials in both countries said the drones appeared to be large and flown by a competent pilot, but they could not confirm if the systems were military or civilian. Investigations are ongoing. Police in Denmark and Norway are gathering radar data, pilot reports, and eyewitness accounts to establish the source and intent. No group or country has claimed responsibility, and as of September 24 authorities had not confirmed the origin.

At Copenhagen Airport, the scale of disruption stood out. More than 30 flights were diverted and at least 120 flights were canceled, affecting over 20,000 passengers. Because Copenhagen serves as a major transfer point for Northern Europe, the shutdown rippled across schedules into the morning and afternoon.

At Oslo Airport, traffic also halted for several hours before operations restarted. Passengers reported missed connections, overnight stays, and rebookings spread over multiple days.

Disruptions and official response

Airport closures at night are rare and costly. Controllers acted under standard safety rules: if an unmanned aircraft enters controlled airspace near runways, traffic must stop until the area is clear. Denmark moved quickly to add protections. Danish authorities deployed drone jamming technology at Copenhagen as a precaution. That step signals officials see the risk as ongoing, even after flights resumed.

Airlines first tried to hold departures on the ground and put inbound aircraft into holding patterns. As the closures lasted, carriers diverted flights to other airports or returned aircraft to origin. When runways reopened, crews faced duty-time limits, aircraft were out of place, and morning waves overlapped with overnight backlogs. Those factors explain why delays and cancellations lingered well into September 24.

For passengers, the practical impact was immediate:
– Missed connections required rebooking on later flights or different routes
– Overnight stays led to hotel, meal, and transport needs
– Checked baggage sometimes arrived on separate flights
– Families traveling with children or older relatives needed special assistance

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the late-night timing likely reduced the number of aircraft in the airspace when the first drone alerts came, but it did not lessen the effect on next-day schedules. Early morning waves carry a heavy share of business and connection traffic, so a few hours of closure can echo across the network for the entire day.

Airports acted to protect lives and aircraft. Even short closures can cascade into hundreds of canceled or delayed flights and affect tens of thousands of passengers.

Regional context and security concerns

Officials said the closures came amid recent airspace incidents in Eastern Europe, including reports of Russian drones over Poland and Russian aircraft in Estonian airspace. Militaries in the region remain on heightened alert. Some NATO members view these incursions as deliberate probes of European air defenses. Others urge caution until investigations conclude. Russian officials have denied involvement in the Scandinavian drone events. There is no consensus across NATO on who sent the drones or why.

Security agencies in Denmark and Norway continue to collect data. The timeline, altitude, and flight path of the drones will help determine launch points and likely operator skill. If the systems were controlled from a distance using advanced links, that may complicate attribution. Officials have not shared technical details, citing the ongoing inquiry.

Traveler impact and practical advice

Authorities stressed that no injuries or collisions occurred. Still, the incidents underscore the growing risks posed by advanced drones near critical infrastructure. Drone technology has become cheaper and easier to operate, while detection and counter-drone tools continue to evolve. The balance between access for lawful users and safety for airports remains a challenge.

The events raise particular concerns for travelers with time-sensitive plans — immigrants, students, and workers on short visas — who depend on exact travel dates. When drones disrupt flights, schedule changes can affect:
– Visa validity windows tied to arrival dates
– Work start dates or onboarding deadlines
– Residence permit biometrics appointments
– Family reunification timelines and custody schedules

Passengers should:
– Keep proof of disruption from their airline (boarding passes, written notices, receipts)
– Check flight status regularly and enable app alerts
– Arrive early after disruptions, as security lines can swell
– Keep travel documents, visas, and permits handy if rebooked through different countries
– Carry essential medication and at least one day of supplies in hand luggage

For those connecting to long-haul flights, airlines may rebook onto different routings that add a transit stop. Watch for visa rules on transit countries; some airports require an airside transit visa even if you don’t pass border control.

Passenger rights and compensation

Passenger rights apply when flights are canceled or delayed after runways reopen. Under EU rules, airlines must offer care (meals, refreshments, hotel if needed) and rebooking or refunds. Compensation depends on the cause and whether the airline could avoid the disruption. Drone incursions are often treated as extraordinary circumstances, which may limit cash compensation. Keep all receipts and written notices.

What authorities may do next

With recent airspace episodes in Eastern Europe, both countries are expected to review drone defenses near airports and other critical sites. Coordination across aviation authorities, police, and military units will likely increase. Potential upgrades may include:
– More sensors and faster alert systems
– Expanded detection networks
– Tighter rules for drone operations in controlled zones
– Additional counter-drone capabilities

Officials emphasized that normal flying resumed at both airports. Still, the incident serves as a reminder that unmanned aircraft can impose large costs on the movement of people and goods. Even a few hours of closure can cancel 100+ flights and upend plans for tens of thousands. The cascading impact from a single night can stretch well into the next day as crews, aircraft, and slots realign.

Recommendations for travelers passing through Scandinavia

For travelers planning routes through Scandinavia in the coming days:
– Monitor advisories and your airline’s communications
– Consider longer layovers at Copenhagen or Oslo to reduce missed-connection risk
– If your trip involves critical immigration milestones, contact your airline and, if needed, the relevant embassy to document delays

Official guidance on drone rules and safety in Norway is available from the Civil Aviation Authority at Norwegian drone regulations. Authorities urge all drone operators to stay far from airports and follow national rules on altitude, distance, and line-of-sight requirements. These rules are in place to protect aircraft during takeoff and landing, when they are most vulnerable.

As investigations proceed, Denmark and Norway have not publicly named a suspect. NATO members are sharing information, but there is no collective finding on origin or intent. Russian officials have rejected claims of involvement. For now, the focus remains on securing airspace and preventing a repeat. Passengers can expect normal operations with added vigilance, and airlines will work through rebookings until aircraft and crews are back in place.