Leipzig Airport suspends visitor access after explosive drone discovery

Leipzig/Halle Airport has suspended all visitor tours and closed its observation deck in the wake of an incident involving an explosive-laden drone. The airport announced the precautionary measures on its website, stating that booked tours cannot proceed as planned and that information will be provided once tours resume.

The decision comes after a drone equipped with explosives and a detonator was discovered near Ukrainian transport aircraft late Tuesday evening. An airport employee reportedly brought the drone down. Additionally, an aircraft collided with an unidentified smaller flying object, suspected to be a second drone.

The Federal Police's drone defense unit is reportedly operating on the visitor platform. While a spokesperson declined to confirm the installation of radar for drone detection, a dpa photographer observed radar technology being set up on the visitor platform at the old tower. News portal 'Tag24' suggests it is an EchoShield radar system capable of detecting drones at long distances and tracking their flight paths.

German federal prosecutors have launched an investigation into the incident, citing suspicion of attempted explosive detonation and dangerous interference with air traffic. The airport's announcement expresses regret for the inconvenience caused to guests and assures that updates will follow regarding the resumption of visitor services.