Authorities in Germany implemented a brief shutdown of Nuremberg Airport on Tuesday and deployed fighter jets to escort a commercial passenger plane traveling from the Greek island of Corfu. The measures were taken in response to concerns regarding an in-flight emergency, according to reports from the dpa news agency.
Police cordoned off the airport in southern Germany and initiated an investigation as the aircraft approached. The plane eventually landed safely, and officials subsequently issued an all-clear. Details about the emergency call were not immediately available. Earlier Tuesday, authorities noted a possible drone sighting at the airport.
As a result of the security response, six flights experienced delays, and two inbound flights were diverted to alternative airports as a precautionary measure. The incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened sky surveillance across Europe, driven by a recent increase in mysterious drone sightings and ongoing concerns regarding Russian sabotage as the war in Ukraine continues.
The German government previously attributed an attempted explosive drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August to Russia, leading to the closure of a Russian consulate and other diplomatic actions. While Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Berlin’s allegations, Western officials continue to accuse Moscow of orchestrating a campaign of disruption aimed at destabilizing European nations and undermining support for Ukraine.
