Suspicious Drone Alert at Leipzig/Halle Airport
Takeoffs and landings were suspended at Germany’s Leipzig/Halle Airport after an unidentified aerial object was spotted at around 11:40 p.m. local time on Tuesday, August 4.
At the time, a DHL cargo aircraft approaching the airport was forced to go around. Shortly afterwards, the aircraft struck an object believed to be a drone and diverted to Hanover Airport, where it landed safely. Minor damage was detected on the aircraft’s nose section, while no injuries were reported. Flight tracking data indicates that the aircraft involved was a D-AZML-registered Airbus A300 freighter.
Emergency teams later found a suspicious drone near the airport’s southern runway. German media reported that the drone contained explosives and a defective detonator, while a bomb disposal robot was used during the examination.
Several flights were diverted to other airports during the disruption. Operations at Leipzig/Halle resumed via the northern runway at 1:55 a.m. on Wednesday, August 5. The southern runway remained closed as the investigation continued, with German police examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
