Aalborg Aerial Drones Prompt Temporary Airspace Closure After Recent Sightings in Denmark

Morning opening: Drones are not going away anytime soon

Jakub Krupa

Airspace over the Danish city of Aalborg was briefly closed again last night after unconfirmed reports of drone sightings. While no drones were eventually found, it shows how Denmark is on the edge after repeated incidents this week.

Light-emitting object flies away as Denmark airport closes due to drones – video

Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen conceded earlier that “there may be more to come,” as she laid bare the challenge these hybrid attacks pose for the country in a rare TV address.

She conceded that the recent events showed “vulnerabilities” in Denmark’s critical infrastructure, but urged citizens not to give in to “insecurity and division” they were meant to create.

“One time it might be drones; another – cyber-attacks, what we call disinformation, influencing elections or conspiracy theories you read online. But no matter what method we use, the goal is the same: they want to destabilise our society and they want us to no longer trust out authorities,” she warned.

I consider it a new reality that Denmark and Europe are under more violent and frequent hybrid attacks.

In a stark warning, she conceded that Europeans are likely to experience more sabotage and attacksincluding on undersea cables or “direct attacks on European democracies, as we are now seeing in the small country of Moldova” which holds a key election this weekend.

As other officials before her, Frederiksen steered clear of formally assigning responsibility for the drone sightings to any particular actor, but she said “we can at least state that there is primarily one country that poses a threat to Europe’s security, and that is Russia.”

On Friday, Danish officials will join nine other countries, including Ukrainefor talks convened by the EU about the so-called “drone wall” that is meant to help countries primarily on the Eastern flank of the bloc to defend themselves from the threat from the East.

I will bring you all the key updates here.

It’s Friday, 26 September 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.

Good morning.

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Updated at 10.26 CEST

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Danish defence minister concedes response to drones was at times too slow

Danish defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the police and the armed forces have been at times slow in their response to drone sightings this weekbut insisted they “have improved and picked up the pace” and there was no basis for harsh criticism of the authorities.

Speaking on morning TV show Go’ Morgen Danmark on TV2, he said: “Are we perfect? No. Can we do more? Yes,” TV2 reported.

He admitted that while Denmark has the technology needed to tackle drones, it “hasn’t worked well enough” and needs to be improved.

He also disclosed that Denmark obtained some visual imagery of the drones, which could help with identifying the models seen in Danish airspace and who could be behind these incidents.

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Morning opening: Drones are not going away anytime soon

Jakub Krupa

Airspace over the Danish city of Aalborg was briefly closed again last night after unconfirmed reports of drone sightings. While no drones were eventually found, it shows how Denmark is on the edge after repeated incidents this week.

Light-emitting object flies away as Denmark airport closes due to drones – video

Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen conceded earlier that “there may be more to come,” as she laid bare the challenge these hybrid attacks pose for the country in a rare TV address.

She conceded that the recent events showed “vulnerabilities” in Denmark’s critical infrastructure, but urged citizens not to give in to “insecurity and division” they were meant to create.

“One time it might be drones; another – cyber-attacks, what we call disinformation, influencing elections or conspiracy theories you read online. But no matter what method we use, the goal is the same: they want to destabilise our society and they want us to no longer trust out authorities,” she warned.

I consider it a new reality that Denmark and Europe are under more violent and frequent hybrid attacks.

In a stark warning, she conceded that Europeans are likely to experience more sabotage and attacksincluding on undersea cables or “direct attacks on European democracies, as we are now seeing in the small country of Moldova” which holds a key election this weekend.

As other officials before her, Frederiksen steered clear of formally assigning responsibility for the drone sightings to any particular actor, but she said “we can at least state that there is primarily one country that poses a threat to Europe’s security, and that is Russia.”

On Friday, Danish officials will join nine other countries, including Ukrainefor talks convened by the EU about the so-called “drone wall” that is meant to help countries primarily on the Eastern flank of the bloc to defend themselves from the threat from the East.

I will bring you all the key updates here.

It’s Friday, 26 September 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.

Good morning.

Share

Updated at 10.26 CEST

What specific regulations outlined by the Danish Transport Authority are being violated by the reported unauthorized drone flights?

Recent Drone Activity & Airspace Restrictions

Recent weeks have seen a notable increase in reported drone sightings around Aalborg, Denmark, leading to temporary airspace closures implemented by the Danish Transport Authority (Trafikstyrelsen). These restrictions are primarily focused on ensuring aviation safety, notably near Aalborg Airport (AAL) and surrounding populated areas. The closures impact recreational drone pilots, commercial drone operators, and general aviation alike.

The primary concern stems from unauthorized drone flights and, in some instances, drones operating beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) without proper permits. This has prompted a swift response from authorities to mitigate potential risks. The situation highlights the growing need for stricter drone regulations and enforcement in Denmark, mirroring trends seen across Europe.

Details of the Airspace Closures

The temporary airspace closures have varied in scope and duration. Here’s a breakdown of recent activity (as of September 26, 2025):

* September 18-20, 2025: A 5km radius around Aalborg Airport was temporarily restricted to all aircraft, including drones, following multiple reports of unidentified aerial vehicles.

* September 22, 2025: A localized closure was enacted over the city center of Aalborg after a drone was spotted flying near the Aalborg Tower.

* Ongoing Monitoring: The Danish Transport Authority is maintaining heightened surveillance and implementing rolling closures as needed based on real-time drone activity. Pilots are advised to check NOTAMs (notices to airmen) frequently before any flight.

These closures are impacting:

* Commercial Drone Operations: Delivery services,infrastructure inspection,and aerial photography businesses are facing disruptions.

* Recreational Drone Flying: Hobbyists are restricted from flying in large portions of the Aalborg region.

* General Aviation: Light aircraft and helicopters are required to reroute or delay flights.

Understanding Danish Drone regulations

Denmark, like other EU member states, adheres to the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) drone regulations. Key aspects include:

* Registration: All drone operators must register with the Danish Transport Authority.

* Competency: pilots must demonstrate competency through online training and, in some cases, practical assessments.

* Geozones: denmark utilizes geozones to designate areas with specific drone restrictions. Aalborg Airport and surrounding areas are classified as “red zones” requiring prior authorization for drone flights. The EASA DroneMap (https://dronemap.eu/) is a valuable resource for checking geozone restrictions.

* Operational Limits: Regulations dictate maximum flight altitudes, distances from people, and other operational parameters.

* Insurance: Drone operators are generally required to have liability insurance.

the Role of Drone Detection Technology

The increased frequency of drone sightings has spurred investment in drone detection technology in Denmark. Authorities are deploying systems capable of:

* radio Frequency (RF) Detection: identifying drone control signals.

* Acoustic Detection: Locating drones based on their sound signature.

* Radar Systems: Tracking drone movements.

* Optical Detection: Using cameras and computer vision to identify and classify drones.

These technologies are crucial for identifying unauthorized drone activity and responding effectively. The Danish police are actively utilizing these tools to enforce airspace regulations.

Impact on Local Businesses & Residents

The airspace closures are causing inconvenience for both businesses and residents.

* Delivery Delays: Companies utilizing drones for package delivery are experiencing delays and disruptions to their services.

* Inspection Challenges: Infrastructure inspection companies are facing difficulties in conducting aerial surveys.

* Public Concern: Residents have expressed concerns about privacy and safety related to drone activity.

Aalborg’s Connection to Drone Technology – an Unexpected Link?

Interestingly,a recent online discussion (https://www.zhihu.com/question/343470867) highlighted a curious trend: a disproportionately high number of sellers on the Danish online marketplace, IdleFish (similar to eBay), appear to be graduates of Aalborg University and, specifically, Aalborg Teacher training College. While the direct correlation to the recent drone activity is speculative, it raises questions about the local talent pool and potential entrepreneurial ventures in the drone technology sector. It’s possible a concentration of skilled individuals in the area contributes to both the advancement and, potentially, unauthorized operation of drones.

Practical Tips for Drone Pilots in Denmark

* Always Check NOTAMs: Before every flight, consult the latest NOTAMs issued by the Danish Transport Authority.

* Utilize EASA DroneMap: Verify geozone restrictions in your intended flight area.

* Register Your Drone & Obtain Necessary Permits: Ensure you are fully compliant with Danish drone regulations.

* Fly Responsibly: Maintain visual line of sight, respect privacy, and avoid