Eindhoven airport closed after drone sightings, defence minister says

Air traffic at Eindhoven Airport in the southern Netherlands was suspended on Saturday evening after multiple drones were sighted near the facility, prompting the deployment of counter-drone systems and raising fresh alarm over airspace security in Europe.

“Counter-drone equipment is ready to act,” Brekelmans said, adding that an investigation is under way. Authorities have yet to identify the source of the drones, which led to a full suspension of both civilian and military air operations at the airport.

The incident follows similar security alerts across Europe in recent months, where unexplained drone flights have disrupted airspace operations and triggered growing fears of hybrid attacks targeting critical infrastructure.

Earlier, the Dutch defence ministry revealed that weapons were used on Friday evening against drones spotted above Volkel Air Force Base, located about 40 kilometres northeast of Eindhoven. That episode had already heightened security measures at other Dutch military installations.

Eindhoven Airport, which operates as a dual-use civilian and military hub, was placed under precautionary lockdown as authorities monitored the situation. The defence ministry said it could not confirm the origin or ownership of the drones.

A rising European concern

The latest disruption adds to a growing list of drone-related incursions reported across Europe this year. In September, Poland’s military said more than 20 Russian drones had entered its airspace, while three Russian fighter jets were accused of violating Estonian airspace for over 12 minutes.

Since then, numerous unidentified drones — many with unclear or untraceable origins — have been reported near European airports, energy facilities, and military bases.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has described such incidents as examples of “hybrid warfare”, warning that the EU must strengthen its defences against unconventional security threats.

Security and investigation

While no injuries or damage were reported in Eindhoven, the temporary suspension of flights underscored the vulnerability of Europe’s skies to small unmanned aerial systems.

The Dutch Ministry of Defence has not ruled out foreign involvement but has declined to provide further details until the investigation concludes.

For now, air traffic remains under strict monitoring as the Netherlands — and much of Europe — confronts the growing challenge of drone activity blurring the line between civilian nuisance and potential national security threat.

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