Overview
- Late on Tuesday night, airport staff discovered a drone parked next to a Ukrainian An‑124 at Leipzig/Halle and reported an attached device that investigators treated as a possible explosive.
- Federal police deployed an explosives‑disposal robot and removed the detonator, the north runway reopened in the early hours of Wednesday and the south runway remained closed for further investigation.
- Separately, a cargo jet aborted its approach, struck an unidentified flying object about six kilometres from the airport and diverted to Hanover where inspectors found minor nose damage and no injuries.
- Saxony prosecutors, the state criminal police and federal agencies have opened a state‑security investigation and are searching for the drone operator while officials say there is no public attribution at this stage.
- Leipzig/Halle is a major DHL and Antonov cargo hub so investigators and industry officials warn the incident could prompt tighter security, slower freight movements and closer NATO and federal coordination on drone threats.