Sweden Drones briefly paralyze Stockholm-Arlanda Airport

Several drones have briefly paralyzed night-time air traffic at one of Scandinavia's most important airports. Four drones of different sizes were spotted by the tower near Stockholm-Arlanda Airport shortly before 1.00 am.

This was reported by the TT news agency and several other Swedish media outlets. As a result, several flights had to be diverted to Stockholm-Skavsta and Gothenburg-Landvetter, among others.

According to the newspapers "Expressen" and "Aftonbladet", individual aircraft were even sent to Finland and Copenhagen in Denmark. However, as the incident happened during the night, the total number of flights that had to be diverted was manageable. Air traffic in Arlanda was able to resume at around 3.30 am.

Police assume intentional act

The police launched an investigation into airport sabotage. A police spokesman told the radio station SVT that it was suspected to have been a deliberate act, but he could not say what the purpose of the action was. No arrests have been made so far.

Airport sabotage that poses a threat to the operation and safety of the airport can result in up to four years in prison under Swedish law. If human life is endangered, even life imprisonment is possible.

Stockholm-Arlanda Airport is the largest airport in Sweden and, along with Copenhagen-Kastrup and Oslo-Gardermoen, one of the three most important in Scandinavia.

SDA