The Growing Threat of Drones to Airports
Across Europe, drones are no longer a rare sight but a rising security concern for critical infrastructure. Suspect aircraft have been spotted above military bases, power stations, and, notably, airports. Recent events in Poland, followed by disruptions at Copenhagen and Oslo airports, illustrate how quickly drone activity can paralyze air travel. In Denmark, five airports were affected in quick succession, while sightings near the Karlskrona naval base in Sweden underscored the widening reach of this threat.
Since the war in Ukraine began, security services across Europe have faced a surge in drone-related alerts. The evolving security landscape has shown that unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are a vulnerability that could be exploited to disrupt or damage critical infrastructure. Analysts emphasize that the situation reflects what some describe as a “hybrid” threat, where drones are used to exploit gaps in conventional security postures.
Swiss Airports: A Patchwork of Protection and Gaps
In Switzerland, the response has been uneven. While some airports have begun to deploy detection and response tools, others lag behind. The Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (OFAC) notes a rising number of drone incidents in recent years—68 reported near aircraft and drones in 2024, and 50 already in 2025. Most incidents involve hobby drones, according to OFAC, underscoring a widespread accessibility of capable devices among the general public.
One notable exception is Saint-Gall-Altenrhein, the regional airport that has taken a leading role by installing a professional drone-detection system. The sensors, supplied by DroneShield, operate passively, transmitting real-time data to air traffic control about a drone’s location and even a live image, without interfering with other systems. Zurich Airport has followed suit with a similar setup that can distinguish registered drones from unregistered ones and trigger alerts or, if necessary, halt traffic. These systems remain relatively rare, and OFAC reiterates that international guidelines for managing drone threats are still lacking.
Airport Realities: Publicly Transparent Plans and Hidden Gaps
At Geneva and EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse, officials have suggested action plans exist but have offered limited detail on actual detection capabilities. In contrast, Bern-Belp has been more candid: the regional airport does not yet have a drone-detection system, a situation described as cost-prohibitive for smaller facilities. Airport leadership acknowledges ongoing surveillance but also recognizes that no defense is foolproof. The risk is not only of a collision or ingestion of a drone into a engine but also the potential for deliberate sabotage or espionage tied to drone activity.
Experts highlight that even with detection layers, total protection remains elusive. A popular family drone can be purchased for around 1,000 Swiss francs and, with proper GPS and geofencing, appears well-behaved—until it isn’t. Geofencing can be circumvented by skilled operators, and adversaries can exploit gaps in coverage or exploit the time window between detection and intervention. The result is a constant arms race between drone developers and defense systems.
Expert Perspective: Quadcopters, Geofencing, and the Risk to Flight Safety
Analysts emphasize that many observed drones appear to be quadcopters, capable of flying through restricted airspace. The fact that they have breached limited geofence protections raises concerns about the potential to cause significant damage. A drone carrying even a small payload can threaten a takeoff or landing sequence, potentially leading to engine damage or a forced containment scenario. While authorities point to both the threat of a terrorist attack and accidental incidents, the practical reality is that the simplest, least protected airdromes may be the most vulnerable targets.
What Needs to Change: Policy, Investment, and Coordination
Across Europe and especially in Switzerland, there is a consensus that existing regulatory frameworks are not sufficient to address drone threats. The Swiss defense sector, after identifying gaps, plans to invest heavily in air defense and anti-drone capabilities—about 100 million Swiss francs, with a major portion directed at critical infrastructure and early systems, and a further 30 million for additional equipment. Yet, experts warn that even this level of investment might not guarantee robust protection by 2033, given the rapid pace of drone technology and potential countermeasures.
Ultimately, aligning international guidelines, standardizing response protocols, and expanding deployable detection and defense tech will be essential. While no airport can be considered fully protected today, expanding capable, integrated detection networks and ensuring rapid coordination among airport operators, police, and the military will determine how effectively we can weather the drone challenge of the coming years.
Conclusion: No Airport Is Truly Safe, but Protections Are Evolving
From Switzerland to Denmark and beyond, the drone threat to airports is not a theoretical risk but a real, present danger that demands sophisticated, layered defenses. The most secure airports will be those that combine proactive detection, rapid interception capabilities, and transparent planning—while acknowledging that no system offers a perfect shield against determined attackers or unexpected drone behavior.
