Authorities at Nuremberg Airport in Germany were put on alert, with police temporarily sealing off the area after a report of a possible in-flight emergency, which had not been confirmed at first.
“We believe this may be an emergency situation during a flight. However, this has not yet been confirmed,” a police spokesperson said, without being able to specify the number of officers involved in the operation at first.
Aircraft From Corfu and Eurofighter Deployment
The police operation began shortly before the landing of a flight from Corfu, according to Welt. An airport spokesperson said the aircraft landed safely.
As reported by the German news agency dpa, an emergency code had been activated beforehand. Eurofighter jets were deployed to escort the aircraft and, according to the airport spokesperson, had since left the area.
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The German Air Traffic Control service said the fighter jets belonged to the Air Force’s Tactical Air Wing 74, based in Neuburg an der Donau in Bavaria. Two Eurofighters are kept on standby around the clock at this base as part of a quick reaction force.
Earlier Report of a Possible Drone
The incident occurred a few days after the “Dispersed Operation” military exercise, which took place at Nuremberg Airport. According to the airport’s website, the exercise tested whether a civilian airport could be temporarily used for operations by military aircraft and personnel.
Separately, problems with airport operations had been reported in the early morning hours following a possible drone sighting.
According to police, three pilots independently reported spotting an object that may have been a drone during takeoff or landing.
The Federal Police Directorate at Nuremberg Airport, in coordination with the management of Albrecht Dürer Airport and German Air Traffic Control, immediately launched an investigation and search procedures. A police helicopter also took part in the operation, but no drone was found.
Flight Delays and Diversions
Air traffic was temporarily disrupted during the operation. According to an airport spokesperson, a total of six flights were delayed: two arrivals and four departures.
In addition, two aircraft headed to Nuremberg had to be diverted to Cologne and Prague as a precaution. They were later able to continue on to their original destination.
These incidents are part of a series of reports of possible drone sightings at German airports in recent weeks. Similar incidents have led to temporary restrictions or suspensions of operations at airports in Leipzig, Düsseldorf, and Berlin.