Berlin Brandenburg Airport operations suspended due to drone sighting

Operations at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) were suspended on the evening of Wednesday, September 23, 2026, following the sighting of a drone near the runways. The unauthorized aircraft was first reported around 20:00 local time, leading to the closure of the northern runway and a total suspension of all air traffic shortly thereafter. The disruption lasted approximately 45 minutes, with normal operations gradually resuming after 21:05.

Several incoming flights were diverted to the airports in Dresden and Leipzig during the temporary closure, causing subsequent delays for passengers. Airport spokespeople confirmed that multiple witnesses reported the sighting. While the operator of the drone remains unidentified, the incident follows a concerning trend; according to the German Air Navigation Services, at least 28 drone sightings were recorded at the Berlin airport during the first half of 2026, the highest figure for any German airport. Authorities have not yet determined if the incident was a recreational oversight or a deliberate violation of restricted airspace. Investigations into the event are ongoing.