Eindhoven Air Traffic Disrupted by Drone Sightings: A Growing Concern

Sun Nov 23 2025 07:21:08 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The suspension of air traffic near Eindhoven, Netherlands, highlights the increasing frequency of unidentified drone sightings near military installations across Europe, raising security concerns.

Air traffic around Eindhoven, Netherlands has been halted after drone sightings near the local airport, marking the latest instance of increasing drone activity near military sites in Europe. The Dutch Defense Minister confirmed the readiness of counter-drone measures as sightings have become common in several nations amid accusations of hybrid warfare. Despite these concerns, Russia has denied involvement in the incidents. European defense ministers are developing strategies to bolster airspace security.

Air traffic above the southern Dutch city of Eindhoven has been suspended after unidentified drones were spotted near the airport.

Drones were first observed late on Friday over the nearby Volkel air force base. Weapons were deployed to try to shoot them down but the devices got away.

Following more drone sightings near the main airport on Saturday, the airspace in the area was closed to both civilian and military flights. Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans said counter-drone assets were ready to intervene.

This incident is part of a wider pattern of drone sightings at military installations and airfields across northern Europe in recent months. Russia has denied allegations of involvement.

As well as being used by the Royal Netherlands Air Force, Volkel Air Base hosts a US Air Force squadron as part of NATO. For security reasons, officials declined to provide details on how the drones were initially detected or efforts to bring them down.

Recent reports indicate drone sightings have also occurred at other Dutch air bases and installations in Belgium, Denmark, and Germany. Investigations into the source of these drones have been hampered by a lack of conclusive evidence.

Some European officials suspect these incidents may represent a form of "hybrid warfare" linked to Russia, as targeted nations are allied with Ukraine. However, the Kremlin continues to deny any connection.

In response to these drone sightings, defense ministers from ten EU countries have agreed to form a drone wall and are exploring the implementation of anti-drone defense systems.