COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — A talented drone pilot flew two to 3 giant unidentified drones over Copenhagen Airport on Monday evening, shutting down the airspace for hours because the unknown perpetrator gave the impression to be exhibiting off their capabilities over Scandinavia’s largest airport, police mentioned Tuesday.
Officers selected to not shoot down the drones as a result of the chance was too nice with the airport being stuffed with passengers, the planes on the runways and close by gas depots, Jes Jespersen, senior police inspector of the Copenhagen Police, mentioned throughout a information convention.
Jespersen referred to as the pilot “a capable actor” and mentioned the wrongdoer appeared intent on exhibiting off their expertise and probably practising their methods.
The drones disappeared after a number of hours.
SERGEI GAPON by way of Getty Pictures
There have been no indicators that the drone pilot meant to trigger hurt to anybody, he added. The drones’ lights turned on and off and appeared to have interaction in numerous flight patterns. “It all indicates that you are not out to attack anyone, but you are out to show off and maybe to practice,” he mentioned of the pilot.
Nonetheless, authorities couldn’t rule out the potential of the drones being a part of a Russian hybrid assault, he mentioned.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected the allegations.
“Every time we hear unfounded accusations,” he mentioned in a name Tuesday with reporters, including that “a party that takes a serious and responsible position mustn’t make such unfounded accusations again and again.”
The 2 to 3 drones appeared to have flown many kilometers (miles) to achieve the airport. Investigators are how the drones reached the airport — whether or not it was by land or probably by boat.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen referred to as it “the most serious attack on Danish critical infrastructure to date.”
STEVEN KNAP by way of Getty Pictures
Flights on the airport resumed early Tuesday, although delays and cancellations continued by way of the morning.
“Copenhagen Airport has reopened after being closed due to drone activity. However, there will be delays and some canceled departures. Passengers are advised to check with their airline for further information,” its official web site mentioned.
A drone incident the identical night on the airport in Oslo, Norway, compelled all visitors to maneuver to at least one runway, in keeping with Norwegian broadcaster NRK. Site visitors later returned to regular and it’s unclear who was accountable.
Jespersen mentioned nothing instantly linked the Oslo and Copenhagen incidents, however officers would look into any potential ties.
Safety issues in northern Europe are heightened following a rise in Russian sabotage actions and a number of drones and fighter jet incursions into NATO airspace in current weeks.
In 2023, London’s Gatwick Airport closed its runway for nearly an hour after a drone was reported close by. In December 2018, greater than 140,000 vacationers have been stranded or delayed in the course of the Christmas season after dozens of drone sightings shut down Gatwick for elements of three consecutive days.
