Explosive drone found at Leipzig Airport, flights diverted after runway closure

Berlin,UPDATED: Aug 5, 2026 18:48 IST

German authorities said on Wednesday that a drone carrying an explosive device was found at Leipzig/Halle Airport, and police removed the detonator. The discovery led to the temporary closure of both runways, while several flights, including a passenger aircraft, were diverted after a flying object was seen near the airport shortly before midnight.

Investigators also said an apparent second flying object struck a freight plane after it aborted its landing because of the runway closure. The aircraft later flew to Hannover airport, about 200 km away, where officials found slight damage. Authorities said there was no danger to passengers or airport staff, and flights were not affected on Wednesday.

In a statement, Saxony's state criminal police office and prosecutors in Dresden said an airport employee found the drone near the south runway along with "an unknown explosive device". Police examined the object and removed its detonator, though the statement did not give details about the device. An anti-explosives robot was sent to inspect the object near the south runway.

Police and prosecutors said the second flying object collided with the freight aircraft after the pilot pulled out of the landing because the runway had been shut. The airport's north runway reopened after about two hours, while the south runway had already been scheduled to remain closed for maintenance on Wednesday.

Photographs from the scene showed police technicians with an explosives disposal robot near a Ukrainian aircraft. Leipzig/Halle is a major cargo hub, and aircraft stationed there include Ukrainian Antonov transport planes. There was no immediate information on who may have been responsible for the drone. NATO said it was aware of the incident but directed questions to the German authorities.

The incident also drew attention to a 2024 case in which an incendiary device caught fire at a logistics centre at the airport and set a freight container ablaze. Western security officials suspect that plot was backed by Russian intelligence, and the flight the device was meant to take had been delayed. Asked whether there was any direct link to the overnight incident, German Interior Ministry spokesperson Leonard Kaminski said he did not see one at this stage. Overall, authorities said the explosive device was secured, the affected runway closure was temporary, and Wednesday's airport operations were not disrupted.

With PTI Inputs

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