NewKerala.com

Berlin Airport Shutdown: How Drone Sighting Fuels EU 'Drone Wall' Debate

A drone sighting forced Berlin Brandenburg Airport to suspend operations for two hours on Friday evening. Police confirmed the sighting but couldn't locate the device, causing flight delays and diversions. This incident follows similar drone disruptions at Munich Airport that affected thousands of passengers. The events have reignited debate about the EU's proposed "drone wall" defense system amid growing security concerns across Europe.

Key Points: Berlin Airport Drone Incident Rekindles EU Drone Wall Initiative

  • Berlin airport closed for two hours after confirmed drone sighting near runway
  • Flight delays affected departures to Basel, Oslo and Barcelona destinations
  • Similar incidents disrupted Munich Airport operations affecting 10,000 passengers
  • EU aims to have anti-drone defense system fully operational by 2027
2 min read

Drone sighting at Berlin airport rekindles debate on 'drone wall' initiative

Berlin airport suspends flights after drone sighting, reigniting debate over EU's proposed anti-drone defense system amid security concerns across Europe.

"The frequent drone incursions in Europe could be linked to espionage activities - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz"

Berlin, Nov 1

Flight operations at Berlin Brandenburg Airport were suspended for about two hours on Friday evening following reports of a drone sighting, but the airport has since resumed normal operations, local media reported on Saturday.

The German Press Agency quoted a police spokesperson as saying that at around 8 pm local time (1900 GMT), a witness reported seeing a drone near the airport, prompting the closure of the northern runway. Police officers in patrol vehicles later confirmed the sighting but were unable to locate the device.

The incident caused flight delays and diversions, with departures to Basel, Oslo and Barcelona suspended. Police deployed a helicopter during the operation, and Germany's Federal Aviation Office was also involved, Xinhua news agency reported.

Flights on Saturday resumed as scheduled and were not affected by the incident.

Earlier in October, Munich Airport was closed several times due to suspected drone incursions, affecting more than 100 flights and nearly 10,000 passengers. Similar incidents have also been reported in Denmark, Norway and Poland.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in October that the frequent drone incursions in Europe could be linked to "espionage activities" and attempts to "disrupt public order."

On October 16, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said that ensuring the security of the European Union's (EU) borders and airspace is a shared interest of all member states as some European countries are skeptical of the bloc's "drone wall" initiative.

Budrys made the remarks after meeting with Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze in Vilnius, according to the Baltic News Service (BNS).

The EU aims to have a new system of anti-drone defences partly operational by the end of 2026 and fully functional in 2027.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's initial "drone wall" proposal was met with some skepticism from countries such as Germany, which fear the bloc may be encroaching on NATO's role.

Germany and France are reluctant for the EU executive to take too central a role in military planning, which is a matter for national governments.

Countries in the south of the bloc have also called for the drone initiative to cover not only the EU's eastern nations.

Concerns about counter-drone measures have intensified after Russian aircraft allegedly violated the airspace of NATO members Poland, Estonia, and Romania in recent months, according to BNS.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Why are European countries so divided on this? When it comes to security, everyone should be on the same page. We in India know how important border security is - whether it's land, sea, or air. Hope they implement the drone wall properly by 2027.
M
Michael C
As someone who travels frequently between India and Europe, these disruptions are worrying. Airport security should be top priority. The EU needs to stop debating and start acting - passenger safety shouldn't be compromised due to political differences.
A
Ananya R
Germany and France should stop worrying about NATO's role and focus on protecting their citizens. Espionage activities are real threats! India has been dealing with similar challenges and we know that strong defense systems are essential. 🙏
S
Sarah B
While I understand the security concerns, I think the drone wall initiative might be an overreaction. Better drone detection and neutralization technology at individual airports would be more practical and cost-effective than a massive wall project.
V
Vikram M
Southern European countries are right - security measures should cover all borders, not just eastern ones. Terrorism and espionage can come from any direction. India has learned this the hard way with multiple border threats. Stay vigilant, Europe!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50