Drone Disruptions Surge at BER Airport, Nationwide Cases Top 172
Drones have caused significant disruptions at Berlin's BER airport this year, with six incidents already recorded. While the airport has not yet faced severe consequences, the number of drone-related incidents is rising nationwide. By September, the German air traffic control agency DFS registered 172 cases of drone interference with air traffic, surpassing the total of the previous year. BER airport ranks in the middle for such incidents, with three-quarters occurring near airports despite a ban on drone flights within 1.5 kilometers of them.
BER airport works closely with DFS to manage these incidents. Recently, Munich Airport was brought to a standstill due to drone sightings on two consecutive days. In the worst-case scenario, drone sightings can cause complete suspension of take-offs and landings, endangering aviation safety. Frankfurt/Main leads with 37 drone sightings in the first nine months, followed by Cologne/Bonn (13) and Düsseldorf (10).
The operators behind the six aviation disruptions at BER airport this year remain largely unknown, posing an unresolved security challenge. As drone sightings increase, so does the need for stricter enforcement of drone flight regulations and improved identification of drone operators.
