Increase in Drone Sightings Disrupts Air Traffic at Berlin Airport

The presence of drones has increasingly disrupted air traffic at airports across Germany, with six sightings reported at Berlin's Brandenburg Airport (BER) this year alone. The Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS) confirmed these incidents, highlighting a growing concern surrounding drone activity in the vicinity of airports.

Compared to other major airports in Germany, BER finds itself in the middle of the pack with these disruptions. Frankfurt Airport leads the statistics with an alarming 37 drone sightings in the first nine months of the year, followed by Cologne/Bonn with 13 and Düsseldorf with 10.

As of September, the DFS reported a total of 172 incidents where drone activity impeded air traffic, a figure that has already surpassed the total for the previous year. Approximately 123 of these incidents occurred within a 1.5-kilometer radius of airports, despite regulations prohibiting drone flights in these areas.

Such drone sightings can have serious implications for flight operations. While the DFS does not specify who operates these drones, it is likely that many incidents are caused by hobbyist pilots. Typically, the sightings are reported by pilots or air traffic control, prompting immediate action from the DFS.

A spokesperson from the DFS stated that any sighting of a drone is taken seriously, leading to an immediate response. The air traffic control tower will restrict flight clearances to areas unaffected by the drone presence. In severe cases, all incoming and outgoing flights may be halted until the situation is resolved. Coordination among the airport authorities and law enforcement is crucial during these incidents.

In stark contrast to other airports experiencing significant disruptions, BER has not yet faced the extreme consequences of drone activity that have been observed at other locations, such as Munich Airport, where drone sightings recently caused major delays. The situation in Munich led to the temporary suspension of flights on consecutive days, showcasing the potential for serious operational challenges posed by drone activity.

While Berlin's authorities maintain a vigilant stance against the threat of drone disruptions, they are currently working closely with the DFS to address any incidents that arise. As the frequency of drone sightings continues to rise, stakeholders in the aviation industry are urged to consider measures that can mitigate the risks associated with unauthorized drone flights near airports.