Drone sightings briefly shut Luxembourg airport

Prime Minister Luc Frieden informed the public that unidentified drones had been observed in Luxembourg's airspace recently, prompting a temporary halt in operations at the country's primary airport. The prime minister stated that Luxembourg was collaborating with NATO allies to investigate the incident, which occurred amidst growing concerns in Europe regarding hybrid attacks from Russia.

During a televised press conference, Frieden mentioned that the presence of potentially larger drones had been detected over the past few days, but the origin of these drones remained unknown. The airport authorities had taken the decision as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of passengers, airline crews, airport personnel, and aircraft.

Over 1,800 passengers were affected by the suspension, leading to the diversion of 17 inbound flights to other airports including Brussels, Paris, and Frankfurt. Luxair, the national carrier, was working in close coordination with the airport, relevant authorities, and its operational partners to assist affected passengers and restore its flight schedule.

The prime minister emphasized that this was a new situation for Luxembourg, although neighboring countries had experienced similar incidents. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, European allies, including Luxembourg, have been on high alert for hybrid attacks, which encompass drone flights near sensitive sites, airspace violations, and cyberattacks.

Luxembourg had recently received reports of unauthorized unmanned aircraft near sensitive locations in Belgium and Denmark, and last year, an explosive-laden drone was discovered at a German airport, an incident Berlin attributed to Moscow. Prime Minister Frieden assured the public that Luxembourg would take all necessary measures, in collaboration with its partners, to ensure the safety of its population.