Sweden’s Gothenburg Airport Halts Flights After Mysterious Drone Sighting

A major Swedish airport was forced to a standstill. Gothenburg’s Landvetter Airport grounded all flights on Thursday. The disruption was caused by an unauthorized drone sighting.

Air traffic control stopped all operations shortly before 6:00 pm local time. The incident caused significant travel chaos for hours. Airport operator Swedavia confirmed the airspace closure.

Airport Operations Paralyzed by Unidentified Drone

Sweden’s air traffic control, LFV, made the call to halt traffic. A spokesman for LFV, Bjorn Stavas, cited the drone observation. He stated it was unclear if it was a single drone or multiple devices.

The police were immediately involved in the situation. According to Reuters, flights were cancelled, delayed, or redirected to other airports. The airport’s website updated passengers on the widespread disruptions.

Broader Pattern of European Airport Disruptions

This event is not isolated. It follows a similar incident at Brussels Airport earlier in the week. There, about 80 flights were halted due to drone activity.

A recent spate of mysterious drone incidents has targeted European infrastructure. Airports and military sites in Germany and Denmark have reported similar occurrences. This has raised security concerns across the continent.

The Gothenburg drone sighting highlights a growing vulnerability in European air security. These incidents continue to disrupt travel and challenge authorities. The search for those responsible remains a top priority.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: How long were flights grounded at Gothenburg Airport?

Flights were stopped for several hours. Traffic resumed after 9:30 pm. The disruption lasted over three hours.

Q2: What was the official reason for the shutdown?

Air traffic control stopped operations due to a drone observation. The exact number of drones was unknown. Safety protocols require an immediate halt in such situations.

Q3: Were any flights cancelled?

Yes, several flights were cancelled or heavily delayed. Many other flights were redirected to alternative airports. Travel plans for hundreds of passengers were affected.

Q4: Has this happened elsewhere in Europe recently?

Yes, Brussels Airport faced a similar issue days before. About 80 flights were halted there. Other countries like Germany have also reported mysterious drone activity.

Q5: Who is suspected behind these drone incidents?

No group has claimed responsibility for the Gothenburg event. However, suspicions in Europe have pointed towards potential Russian involvement. Tensions remain high due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.