Berlin Brandenburg Airport halted operations for 45 minutes on Wednesday evening after a drone was spotted near the northern runway, causing flight diversions and delays.
Key facts
- •The drone sighting occurred at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
- •Airspace was closed for 45 minutes, from 8:20 p.m. to 9:05 p.m.
- •At least five flights were diverted to the cities of Dresden and Leipzig.
- •Berlin Brandenburg Airport recorded 28 drone sightings in the first half of 2026.
- •Operations were interrupted in seven of the 28 recorded sightings this year.
Berlin Brandenburg Airport briefly suspended flight operations on Wednesday evening following the sighting of a drone near its northern runway. Airspace above the airport was closed for approximately 45 minutes, forcing several incoming flights to divert to other cities. While the airport reopened its airspace at 9:05 p.m., ongoing delays were reported.
By the numbers
Incident Details and Operational Impact
The drone was reported at 8:00 p.m., leading authorities to close the airport's airspace at 8:20 p.m. A federal police spokesperson confirmed that multiple witnesses reported the object. During the closure, at least five incoming flights were diverted to Dresden and Leipzig. Authorities have not yet determined the nature of the drone or whether the incident was a deliberate intrusion.
Rising Trend of Drone Sightings
According to Germany’s air-navigation service, DFS, Berlin Brandenburg Airport has recorded the highest number of drone sightings in the country this year. Data shows 28 sightings in the first six months of 2026, resulting in seven operational suspensions. This figure represents a significant increase from 2025, when a total of eight drones were detected in the airport's vicinity.
Timeline
- 8:00 p.m.A drone was sighted on the airport's northern runway.
- 8:20 p.m.Authorities closed the airspace above the airport.
- 9:05 p.m.The airport reopened its airspace and resumed flight operations.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Deutsche Welle Politics, Anadolu Agency Europe.
