Flights at Luxembourg’s main international airport were temporarily suspended overnight after unauthorized drones were reported nearby, Luxembourg authorities said. The airport described the closure as a precaution intended to protect passengers, crews, employees and aircraft.
National carrier Luxair said more than 1,800 passengers were affected and that 17 incoming flights were diverted to airports including Brussels, Paris and Frankfurt. Operations resumed on Saturday, although the airline warned that delays and related disruption could continue.
Prime Minister Luc Frieden said authorities were investigating the sightings and working with Luxembourg’s NATO allies. He told a televised press conference that it was too early to determine who was responsible and said officials were still analyzing the situation.
Frieden also said that potentially larger drones had been observed in Luxembourg’s airspace in recent days. He described the incident as new for Luxembourg, while noting that similar events had occurred in neighboring countries.
The sightings come amid wider European concern over suspected hybrid activities linked to Russia, including alleged sabotage, cyberattacks and unauthorized drone flights. DW reported that drones have previously been detected near sensitive sites in Belgium, Germany and Denmark, but said there was currently no evidence establishing who was behind the Luxembourg sightings.
Frieden said Luxembourg would work with its partners to help ensure public security as the investigation continued.