Dutch airport closed after drone sightings

Air traffic was stopped at Eindhoven Airport in the south of the Netherlands due to the sighting of many drones.

Dutch defense minister Ruben Brekelmans announced the closure in a post on X on Saturday night.

“Counter-drone equipment is ready for action,” Brekelmans said.

“The investigation is ongoing.”

The Dutch military used weapons against drones seen above the air force base in Volkel, about 40 km northeast of Eindhoven, on Friday evening, the defense ministry said early on Saturday.

Eindhoven serves as both a civil and military airport. Brekelmans said all air traffic was suspended.

The defense ministry had no additional comment when asked if it was clear where the drones were coming from.

Drones and other airspace incursions have caused serious disruption in Europe in recent months.

In September, more than 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace, and three Russian military jets violated Estonian airspace for 12 minutes.

Since then, many drone flights, mostly of unknown origin, have disrupted airspace operations in Europe.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the attacks as a “hybrid war”.