Nuremberg Airport briefly shuts after false hijacking alert and drone reports

In August 2026, authorities found an explosives-laden drone at Leipzig Airport. The discovery prompted investigations into potential hybrid attack scenarios. These events heightened sensitivity to airspace security across Germany. This vigilance preceded the events at Nuremberg Airport on October 13, 2026. Three pilots reported seeing a potential drone while taking off or landing at Nuremberg Airport before the hijacking alert.

1. Authorities secured the airport quickly. The New York Times reported that German police confirmed the facility was safe following a false alarm.

2. Investigators classified the incident as a technical failure instead of a security threat. Corendon Airlines stated that a malfunction in the radio communication system triggered the hijack alert. ABC News reported this account.

3. Eurofighter jets escorted the aircraft as police cordoned off the airport. Eurofighter jets were deployed to escort the Corendon Airlines flight to Nuremberg Airport following the emergency alert, as reported by DW English.

4. The aircraft landed safely in Nuremberg as scheduled. The airline attributed the hijack code to a radio communication malfunction.

1. Drone sightings caused operational delays at Nuremberg Airport. Three pilots reported seeing a drone during takeoff or landing. These incidents caused six flight delays. ABC News reported that two inbound flights were diverted to other airports.

2. After a helicopter search, the source of the drone reports remains unidentified. Authorities conducted a search using a police helicopter after the drone reports at Nuremberg Airport but found no drone, as reported by DW English.

3. Similar incidents have occurred previously with no drone found. In May 2026, a possible drone sighting caused a one-hour suspension of flights at Munich Airport, though police found no drone, as reported by DW English.