Germany has opened a counterterrorism investigation after authorities discovered an explosive-laden drone near a runway at Leipzig/Halle Airport, one of Europe’s largest cargo hubs, forcing temporary flight disruptions and heightened security measures.
Airport workers found the drone in a restricted cargo area near the southern runway overnight on Wednesday, local time. Authorities suspended flights while specialists examined the device and several aircraft, including DHL cargo planes, diverted to other airports.
Officials said there was no immediate danger to passengers or airport employees, and most operations resumed after one runway reopened.
DHL Aircraft Reports Minor Damage After Striking Object
Investigators are also examining what a DHL cargo aircraft struck shortly after taking off from Leipzig/Halle while attempting to divert during the disruption.
Authorities said the aircraft hit an unidentified object while climbing away from the airport and later landed safely in Hanover, where officials discovered minor damage.
A source familiar with the incident said the aircraft belonged to DHL.
Explosives Experts Examine Drone
The airport’s southern runway remained closed while explosives experts analysed the drone and removed its detonator.
Leipzig/Halle serves as a major European logistics centre for DHL and is also a base for Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines, which operates large cargo aircraft from the airport.
German newspaper Bild reported that the drone was discovered close to a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane. Authorities have not confirmed whether the aircraft’s location was connected to the incident.
Security Services Prepare Emergency Meeting
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt scheduled an emergency meeting with the country’s security service chiefs following the discovery.
German authorities have increased security measures at airports and other critical infrastructure sites after a series of unauthorised drone flights near military facilities, energy terminals, ports and logistics centres.
Federal police have previously warned that some drone incidents could have involved organised activity linked to Russian intelligence operations.
Investigation Into Possible Sabotage
Anti-extremism prosecutors and counterterrorism officers have taken over the investigation after experts confirmed that the drone carried explosives.
European security agencies have also been investigating a series of incendiary devices hidden inside parcels that caught fire in 2024, raising concerns about possible sabotage targeting air cargo networks.
Several of those devices were discovered at a DHL warehouse in Leipzig and in freight shipments travelling through Europe.
A German Interior Ministry spokesperson said authorities had not established any connection between the earlier incidents and the latest drone discovery.
Russia has denied involvement in the 2024 parcel incidents and recent unauthorised drone activity reported across Europe.