Investigations after drone sighting at Berlin airport

After a drone was spotted at Berlin airport, the Brandenburg police are now investigating dangerous interference with air traffic. The case has been taken over by the federal police, said a spokesman. The background to the drone, which, according to federal police, was seen by airport employees on Wednesday evening, was still open.

Flight operations at the airport were suspended for about 45 minutes after the sighting. Passengers had to endure delays and diversions. Growing dangers from unauthorized drone overflights have long been causing a debate about the protection of critical infrastructure in Germany.

German air traffic control (DFS) had closed the two runways one after the other. Flight operations were reopened shortly after 9 p.m. After the sighting, the federal police searched for the drone but were unable to find anything, it was said.

Attack with explosive drone in Leipzig

In August there was an attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport with a drone equipped with explosives. It was discovered between Ukrainian cargo planes. The Federal Prosecutor's Office is investigating suspicions of attempting to cause an explosive explosion. The federal government blamed Russia for the attack. Moscow denies this.

28 drone sightings at BER in the first half of the year

In the past, Berlin Airport has repeatedly had to interrupt air traffic due to drone sightings. According to air traffic control, no other German airport saw so many drones in the first half of 2026.

The tower in Schönefeld registered 28 such flying objects in the first six months, as the DFS announced upon request. That was one more than at the largest German airport in Frankfurt am Main.

In seven cases, air traffic at Berlin Airport had to be temporarily interrupted as a result. There were only eight drones in the entire year of 2025. This year, the Federal Police installed a new so-called detection system for drones, which is intended to detect drones better and faster.