German airport shuts runways down over 'drone with detonator' and mid-air collision

Investigators were called in after a drone carrying a detonator and explosives was spotted at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany

Joe Smith News Reporter

11:06, 05 Aug 2026Updated 14:06, 05 Aug 2026

[A bomb disposal robot was deployed by police after a drone with explosives strapped to it was found]

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A bomb disposal robot was deployed by police after a drone with explosives strapped to it was found(Image: NEWS5/AFP via Getty Images)

An airport in Germany was forced to close its runways after a drone carrying a detonator and explosives was found close to a Ukrainian aircraft.

The drone, which was been deemed a possible explosive device by investigators, was found at Leipzig/Halle Airport late last night.

The device was found close to a Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane, causing the airport to lock down while experts examined the object using explosives-disposal methods.

There are also reports of an unidentified flying object with possible links to last nights incident which are currently being investigated by authorities.

[The Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane at Leipzig/Halle Airport after workers reportedly discovered a drone yesterday]

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The Ukrainian Antonov cargo plane at Leipzig/Halle Airport after workers spotted a drone yesterday(Image: Getty Images)

A DHL cargo plane was forced to abort its landing at the airport after the runway was closed. It then collided with an unidentified object about 400 metres above the ground, roughly six kilometres from the airport, reports claim. Damage to the plane was discovered after it landed safely at Hanover.

The north runway at Leipzig/Halle was reopened after about two hours. The south runway was scheduled to be out of action for maintenance on Wednesday.

A bomb disposal squad was dispatched to Leipzig/Halle Airport at around midnight shortly after the drone was discovered.

Attached to the drone was a mass, which has been identified as explosive material, containing a detonator. The explosive was defective, however, so the bomb did not go off, Bild reports.

[Police investigators work on the tarmac near the Ukrainian cargo plane]

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Police investigators work on the tarmac near the Ukrainian cargo plane(Image: Getty Images)

Following earlier reports that German Federal Police planned a remotely controlled detonation of the object, the drone and package will now be placed in a special container so it can be examined for possible evidence.

NATO investigators also intend to participate in the probe.

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Four Ukrainian aircraft were said to be in the immediate vicinity of the drone bomb. Investigations are still underway at the airport, with no disruption to passenger flights, German media reports.

There have been a string of unauthorised drone flights in recent weeks at sites across Germany including military installations, seaports, logistics hubs and energy infrastructure - with airports placed on high alert.

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