Drone Reports Halt Flights at Nuremberg Airport

Three pilots reported seeing a suspected drone near Albrecht Duerer Airport in Nuremberg, Germany, prompting authorities to temporarily suspend takeoffs and landings early Tuesday. The sightings occurred between approximately 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. local time as aircraft were taking off and landing, according to police.

German border police coordinated with airport management and German air traffic control to conduct an immediate security search. Officials halted flight operations as a precaution while investigating the reported sightings.

Police spokesman Michael Petzold said the search involved several measures, including the deployment of a police helicopter, but investigators could not confirm the object's presence.

"The measures carried out, which included among other things a police helicopter, did not lead to the verification of the reported object," said Michael Petzold, a police spokesman.

The Nuremberg border police inspectorate has continued investigating to establish what the pilots observed. Authorities have not confirmed that a drone was present near the airport.

"The Nuremberg border police inspectorate is now conducting further investigations to clarify the events," said Petzold.

The incident comes amid heightened concerns in Germany about suspected drone activity near airports and other critical infrastructure. Authorities have faced scrutiny over the potential security risks posed by unidentified unmanned aircraft operating near sensitive facilities.

In August, authorities discovered a drone carrying explosives at Leipzig/Halle Airport, near Ukrainian cargo aircraft. The discovery raised further concerns about potential threats to aviation facilities and critical infrastructure.

German officials accused Russia of carrying out the attempted attack as part of hybrid operations intended to spread public fear and pressure Berlin to reduce its support for Ukraine. Moscow denied the allegations.