Leipzig/Halle Airport Resumes Flights After Explosive Drone Found Near Ukrainian Plane, Damaging 1 DHL Jet
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Aug 6
Leipzig/Halle Airport Resumes Flights After Explosive Drone Found Near Ukrainian Plane, Damaging 1 DHL Jet
3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Aug 6
Summary
Leipzig/Halle fully resumed operations Thursday after German bomb disposal officers removed a detonator from a drone found near a Ukrainian Antonov cargo aircraft by the south runway.
The airport had closed part of the field and diverted several flights, including a passenger plane, after authorities discovered the drone overnight into Wednesday near cargo operations.
A second drone then struck a DHL cargo plane after it aborted landing because the runway was shut; the aircraft later landed in Hanover with minor damage.
German authorities classified the case as a state security investigation, with Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt calling it a possible hybrid attack involving foreign powers, though sabotage has not been confirmed.
Leipzig/Halle is a major cargo and military equipment hub, and the case is being handled by Saxony's extremism and terrorism units as investigators say passengers and staff were never in danger.