Denmark Bans Civilian Drone Flights Ahead of EU Summit — Measures

Industry Insights from Next Move Strategy Consulting

Denmark has imposed a nationwide ban on all civilian drone flights this week as it prepares to host a European Union summit in Copenhagen, the transport ministry announced. Officials said the measure is intended to “simplify security work” for police and to prevent “foreign drones creating uncertainty and disruption” during the international meeting.

A Security-Driven Restriction

The transport ministry said police are on “significantly increased alert” ahead of the summit and that authorities must “take care of Danes and our guests.” The flight ban will remain in force until 3 October; violations can result in fines or imprisonment for up to two years. Denmark currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU.

Regional Spike in Unidentified Drone Activity

The ban follows a wave of unexplained drone activity across Scandinavia and parts of Europe. Unidentified drones have been reported in Denmark since 22 September, incidents that previously forced closures at Copenhagen and Oslo airports. Aalborg and Billund airports also suspended operations last week after drone sightings.

Danish investigators have not yet identified who is responsible. Denmark’s defence minister described the incursions as a “hybrid attack” and said they formed part of a “systematic operation.” The prime minister said investigations are ongoing and declined to rule out Russia; Moscow in turn “firmly rejects” any suggestion of involvement.

Coordinated Responses and Heightened Vigilance

The sightings have prompted a coordinated security response. Defence ministers from 10 EU countries agreed to establish a “drone wall” to counter the incidents, while Nato reported “enhanced vigilance” across the Baltic. Estonia and Poland sought consultations with Nato after separate events in which around 20 Russian drones crossed into Poland and Russian MiG-31 jets entered Estonian airspace.

Other recent reports include drone activity above Norway’s Brønnøysund airport and possible sightings near Norway’s largest military base, as well as a sighting that diverted flights into Bucharest after a Turkish Airlines crew reported an object. In response to similar concerns, Romania this month enacted new legislation increasing air force authority to shoot down unidentified aircraft and drones.

Operational and Legal Consequences

The incidents have already disrupted airport operations and prompted new legal measures in some countries. With police operating at elevated alert levels and explicit penalties attached to the Danish ban, civil aviation and public-safety authorities across the region are prioritising secure airspace management during sensitive diplomatic events.

According to Next Move Strategy Consulting — Impact on the Drone Market

Next Move Strategy Consulting assesses that these events will increase regulatory scrutiny and short-term operational restrictions for civilian drone activity across Europe. The imposition of temporary bans, airport suspensions, enhanced military and Nato vigilance, and new national legislation signal a tightening of rules and enforcement. Manufacturers, operators, and service providers should expect heightened compliance demands and a shift in operational priorities — including stricter geofencing, authorization controls for flights near sensitive sites, and renewed emphasis on detection and counter-drone capabilities — until authorities restore confidence in civil airspace safety.

Source: BBC 

Prepared By: Next Move Strategy Consulting