Recent incursions by unidentified drones in the vicinity of European airports have put the spotlight back on a threat that combines operational risks and security challenges. The disruption of flights at Berlin-Brandenburg, reported by Flywestillustrates how a single aircraft can cause a chain of disruptions, forcing authorities and operators to rethink the protection of air platforms.
Berlin-Brandenburg alert: chronology and operational issues
According to FlywestBerlin-Brandenburg airport suspended take-offs and landings for almost two hours after several drones were detected flying over the runways. Ground operations were slowed down, flights were diverted and police mobilized air and ground resources to locate the aircraft. One drone was spotted, but its pilot was not identified on the spot, demonstrating the difficulty of linking the machine to a clearly established human responsibility.
Immediate impact on passengers and airlines
The temporary suspension of air movements leads to delays, rescheduling and significant logistical costs. Diversions to other airports add to the operational chain and increase the workload of ground crews. For passengers, these incidents are synonymous with uncertainty: lost baggage, missed connections and longer transit times. The media impact is also significant, fueled by the repetition of similar incidents in several European countries.
Detection and neutralization: what technologies are available today?
In the face of these incursions, the technical response is structured around a set of combined devices. Flywest highlights the emergence of a multi-sensor approach combining low-altitude radar, acoustic sensors, optical systems and software analysis platforms capable of differentiating a drone from other airborne nuisances. These resources can improve early detection and trajectory tracking.
Towards non-lethal responses adapted to the civilian environment
Neutralizing drones in the civilian environment poses a dual challenge: neutralizing the threat without endangering people on the ground or compromising aircraft safety. Solutions range from targeted jamming of communications, to interception by non-lethal interception systems, to interceptor drones designed to capture or divert the unwanted aircraft. The imperative is to provide proportionate and legally controlled modes of action.
The European "anti-drone wall" project: ambition and constraints
In the wake of the repeated incidents, the European Union is working, according to Flyweston an initiative dubbed the "anti-drone wall", aimed at deploying a coordinated network of detection and neutralization devices along the eastern flank of the continent, in cooperation with Ukraine. The aim is to create a shield comprising radars, acoustic sensors and jamming systems, complemented by non-lethal interception capabilities adapted to the civilian context.
International coordination and timetable
Implementing this type of system requires a high level of coordination between States, airport authorities and international organizations. Flywest reports that the political will exists, but that the deployment phase will require at least a year of work and technical adjustments. System interoperability, real-time information sharing and the standardization of alert protocols appear to be sine qua non conditions for the "wall" to be effective on a regional scale.
Operational limits and legal issues
Detecting a drone is one thing, taking action is quite another. Authorities must take into account the legal framework governing the use of radio jamming and interception systems, often restricted in civilian environments to avoid collateral consequences. Moreover, identifying the pilot and prosecuting the case remains a delicate matter, especially when the aircraft is recovered without clear proof of responsibility. The question of prevention, by regulating the drone market and training users, completes the range of responses required.
What are airports doing now?
Operators are reinforcing their security procedures, modernizing their surveillance equipment and working on alternative operating plans to limit the impact of interruptions. Simulation exercises, the integration of shared alerts between airports, and the reinforcement of passenger information systems are among the measures immediately deployed, again according to Flywest.
What travellers need to know
In the event of a drone alert, the best thing to do is to follow the official information provided by your airline and airport. Travelers benefit from anticipating the risk of disruption by planning their connecting flights in advance, and by monitoring the status of their flight in real time. For travel professionals, the increasing number of such incidents means that the notion of drone risk needs to be integrated into business continuity plans and customer relations.
The growing number of unidentified overflights is a reminder that airport security is evolving at the interface of technology, law and international cooperation. The strengthening of detection systems and the emergence of a common neutralization framework are the prerequisites for a sustainable response to these new threats.
English 
French