The operations at Berlin airport were briefly halted for approximately half an hour due to the sighting of an unidentified flying object near a military helicopter hangar. The suspension was initiated as a precautionary measure, with a press representative from the airport confirming the security concerns that prompted the action. Authorities were called to investigate the incident, but the drone did not reappear, allowing for a swift resumption of air traffic shortly after 7:10 PM local time.

This incident adds to a growing trend of drone sightings near sensitive locations in Germany, as highlighted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who previously pointed fingers at Russia for recent drone activities near strategically important sites throughout the country and other parts of Europe. This includes airports, military bases, and power plants, raising alarms over national security and the potential implications of such foreign surveillance on local infrastructures.

In October, the presence of drones over the southern part of Munich had previously caused two airport shutdowns, impacting thousands of passengers as flights were canceled or rerouted. These repeated disruptions underscore the vulnerability of airports to drone incidents, which pose significant challenges to safety and operational efficiency, and heighten concerns about the implications of increased aerial surveillance and potential threats from foreign entities.