Flight operations at Germany’s Leipzig/Halle Airport were disrupted overnight after reports of a flying object near the airport triggered a security response that led to runway closures and flight diversions.

Police said the incident occurred shortly before midnight when a flying object was reported in the vicinity of the airport. At around the same time, authorities also discovered another unidentified object near the southern runway, prompting an extensive investigation.

Several flights were affected by the disruption, including at least one passenger aircraft that was diverted to another airport while security checks were carried out.

Police spokesperson Olaf Hoppe confirmed that federal police examined the object found near the southern runway but declined to say whether the flying object reported by witnesses was a drone. Authorities have not released details about the nature of either object as investigations continue.

An explosives disposal robot was deployed to inspect the object discovered near the runway. Police have not disclosed what the device found during the operation was or whether it posed any danger.

The airport resumed operations on its northern runway shortly before 2 a.m., allowing some flights to continue. However, the southern runway remained closed on Wednesday morning while investigators completed their work. Hoppe later said the federal police operation was nearing completion.

Leipzig/Halle Airport is one of Europe’s busiest cargo hubs and plays a significant role in international freight transport. The incident occurred close to facilities used by Ukrainian cargo carrier Antonov Airlines, which relocated much of its operations to Leipzig after its home base at Hostomel Airport was destroyed during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Antonov currently operates its fleet of An-124 heavy cargo aircraft from Leipzig and is constructing a new maintenance hangar at the airport, with completion expected in 2027.

The latest security alert is part of a growing number of incidents involving unidentified flying objects near German airports.

Last year, Munich Airport introduced a laser detection system following repeated reports of suspected drones in nearby airspace that temporarily disrupted operations. In November, Berlin Brandenburg Airport suspended flight movements for approximately two hours after a drone was reported near the airport.

Germany’s air navigation service, DFS, has reported a steady rise in unauthorised drone activity. According to the agency, 144 drone overflights were recorded across German airspace last year, with 35 of those incidents occurring around Frankfurt Airport, the country’s busiest aviation hub.

Authorities have increasingly warned that drones and other unidentified flying objects pose safety risks to aircraft, particularly during take-off and landing, often requiring temporary runway closures until security personnel can confirm there is no threat.

Police have not indicated whether the latest incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport is linked to any previous drone sightings, and investigations into both the reported flying object and the device found near the runway remain ongoing.