Explosive drone found at Leipzig airport, sparking security concerns

An explosive-laden drone was discovered on the runway at Leipzig/Halle Airport early Wednesday, raising serious security concerns. The drone was found near a Ukrainian Antonov AN-124 Condor transport aircraft on the "South Runway."

Federal Police specialists successfully defused the explosive device. Following the drone discovery, a suspected second unidentified flying object reportedly collided with a cargo plane. This aircraft had to abort its takeoff and restart its engines due to the runway's closure. While the machine sustained minor damage upon landing in Hanover, a search for the second object is ongoing, according to the State Criminal Police Office.

The incident highlights a worrying trend: drone sightings at German airports have significantly increased. In the first half of 2026, 166 such objects were reported across Germany's 15 international airports, a substantial rise from 101 cases in the same period of 2025. The Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) recorded the most incidents with 28, followed by Frankfurt Airport with 27. Leipzig/Halle Airport reported 18 unauthorized drone sightings.

In response to these escalating threats, several interior ministers have called for enhanced airport security and greater authority for operators of critical infrastructure. Herbert Reul, the Interior Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, urged for a swift clarification of responsibilities in such cases, emphasizing the need for clear protocols on who can and must intervene. Thomas Röwekamp, chairman of the Bundestag's Defense Committee, pushed for drone defense to become a clear national responsibility. He stated that the Leipzig incident demonstrates that drone threats are no longer confined to military conflicts and can pose significant risks to public spaces and critical infrastructure using relatively simple means. Röwekamp stressed the need for political action, clear national jurisdiction, faster decision-making structures, and modern technical equipment for security agencies.