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Drone alarm at BER: Airport closed after sighting!
On November 1st, 2025, BER Airport was closed for two hours due to a drone sighting. Security risk grows.
Drone alarm at BER: Airport closed after sighting!
On November 1, 2025, BER Airport in Berlin was briefly closed due to the sighting of a drone. The closure lasted about two hours, during which a number of flights had to be diverted. According to vienna.at, planes were allowed to continue taking off until 2:00 a.m. and landing throughout the night to compensate for the delays. Five aircraft used this regulation, while operations on the ground were not restricted.
Drones pose a significant security risk around airports. The number of incidents involving drones has been increasing for years. This year alone, five drone disruptions have already been recorded by German air traffic control (DFS) at Berlin Airport. In comparison, there were a total of 20 incidents in 2024 and more than 15 in 2023. A clear regulation states that drone flights are prohibited within a radius of 1.5 kilometers from airports. If drones are sighted, it is possible to partially or even completely stop approaches and departures. Such banned drone flights can be punished as dangerous interference with air traffic.
Legal basis for drone flights
The legal basis for the operation of unmanned aviation systems (UAS) in Germany is precisely regulated. According to [lba.de]. These European regulations are supplemented by national laws. There are specific restrictions, particularly near airports and critical infrastructure.
The Air Traffic Regulations (LuftVO) and the Air Traffic Act include numerous regulations regarding the operation of drones. In addition, general orders for the establishment of geographical areas for animal protection and wild animal rescue are significant aspects of these regulations. According to Regulation (EU) 376/2014, disruptions and safety-related events related to drone flights must be reported within 72 hours.
Increasing drone sightings
The incident at BER airport is not an isolated case. Similar disruptions were recorded at Munich Airport as early as October 2025. The increasing number of drone sightings is alarming and raises questions about aviation safety. German air traffic control has taken measures to address the situation, but legislation and oversight must continually adapt to address the challenges posed by the increasingly widespread use of drones.
Drone flights that violate existing regulations not only endanger air traffic, but also the safety of passengers and airport staff. It is crucial that both authorities and drone operators are aware of their responsibilities and ensure that all regulations are adhered to.