Airspace Closure and Flight Disruptions
Oslo Gardermoen Airport, Norway's primary international airport, was temporarily closed to air traffic on the night of Monday, September 22, 2025, into Tuesday, September 23, 2025, following multiple sightings of unidentified drones within its airspace. The incursion led to significant operational disruptions, including flight diversions and delays. Initially, air traffic was redirected to a single runway before the airport was fully closed to both arrivals and departures.
The closure, which lasted approximately three hours, saw the airport reopen by 3:22 AM on Tuesday. According to Monica Fasting, Communications Manager at Gardermoen Airport, between 12 and 14 flights were affected by the incident. An additional six cancellations were reported on Tuesday morning as operations resumed.
Investigation and Official Response
Upon the drone sightings, the Norwegian airport operator Avinor promptly notified the police, leading to a heavy police presence at the airport. Authorities initiated efforts to locate the drone pilot, but as of reporting, no individual had been identified or apprehended in direct connection with the airport incident.
Officials opted against shooting down the drones due to safety concerns, citing the presence of passengers, parked aircraft, and nearby fuel depots. The incident in Oslo occurred simultaneously with similar drone activity that forced the closure of Copenhagen's Kastrup Airport in Denmark. Authorities in both Scandinavian capitals have suggested that 'capable operators' or 'national players' may be behind the coordinated disruptions.
Regional Context and Concerns
The drone incursions have raised broader security concerns in the region. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen commented on the Copenhagen incident, stating it was 'the most serious attack on Danish critical infrastructure to date' and did not rule out potential Russian involvement. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed such suggestions as 'unfounded.' Investigations are ongoing to determine if there is any connection between the incidents in Oslo and Copenhagen.
Earlier on the same day, two foreign nationals were arrested in Oslo for flying drones near a military facility, the Akershus Fortress. While this incident was reported, it remains unclear if it is directly linked to the drone sightings at Gardermoen Airport.
5 Comments
Noir Black
Glad they acted fast to secure the airspace. Safety first!
KittyKat
While passenger safety is paramount and the airport's decision is understandable, it's clear current defenses against small drones are inadequate and difficult to implement without collateral damage.
Loubianka
Unidentified drones are a clear and present danger to air travel.
Michelangelo
Always blaming 'national players' without proof. Sounds like an excuse.
Manolo Noriega
The coordinated nature of these incidents is worrying and points to a serious threat, yet jumping to conclusions about state actors without concrete evidence is premature and potentially inflammatory.