Leipzig/Halle airport, one of Europe's busiest cargo hubs, faced significant disruption overnight after police received reports of a suspicious flying object and later discovered another object near a runway. The incidents, which occurred shortly before midnight, forced several flights—including a passenger service—to be rerouted to alternative airports.
Police spokesperson Olaf Hoppe told Euronews that an object was found in the vicinity of the southern runway at the same time as the sighting. Federal police examined the item, though Hoppe declined to confirm whether it was a drone. An anti-explosives robot was deployed to inspect the object, but authorities did not provide further details.
Operations on the other runway resumed shortly before 2 am, but the southern runway remained closed on Wednesday morning, according to a police statement. Hoppe indicated that the federal police's on-site work was nearly complete.
Antonov Airlines connection
The incident occurred near a cargo aircraft operated by Ukrainian carrier Antonov Airlines. According to the Leipziger Volkszeitung, the airline has shifted a significant portion of its operations to Leipzig/Halle since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Antonov has based its An-124 heavy-lift aircraft at the airport and is constructing a new maintenance hangar, with completion expected in 2027.
Antonov's original home base, Hostomel airport near Kyiv, was destroyed by Russian attacks during the war. The airline's relocation to Leipzig underscores the broader impact of the conflict on European aviation infrastructure.
Rising drone incidents across Germany
The Leipzig/Halle disruption is the latest in a series of drone-related incidents at German airports. In October last year, Munich airport was closed for two consecutive days after suspicious drone sightings, prompting local authorities to deploy a laser installation to protect the facility. In November, Berlin's Brandenburg airport suspended flight operations for roughly two hours due to a drone in its airspace.
Data from Germany's air navigation service, DFS, shows a worrying trend: 144 drone overflights were logged last year, with 35 incidents concentrated around Frankfurt Airport. The increasing frequency of such events raises concerns about air safety and the adequacy of counter-drone measures at critical transport nodes.
While the Leipzig/Halle incident did not result in injuries or damage, the closure of a major cargo runway—even temporarily—can have ripple effects on supply chains across Europe. The airport is a key hub for express freight, serving companies like DHL, and any disruption can delay deliveries of time-sensitive goods.
Authorities have not yet identified the operator of the flying object or determined whether the two incidents were linked. Police have urged the public to report any relevant information.
As drone technology becomes more accessible, European airports are grappling with how to balance security and operational efficiency. The situation at Leipzig/Halle serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities in the region's air travel network.
