German authorities are raising concerns regarding the security posture of airports across the nation, warning against complacency in the face of evolving threats. Marc Henrichmann, the newly appointed chairman of the Bundestag’s Parliamentary Oversight Committee (PKGr), cautioned against a sense of “false security” at German airports, highlighting them as increasingly vulnerable targets for hybrid attacks.
Henrichmann, in statements to the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, emphasized that airports are critical infrastructure points susceptible to a range of threats, from drone incursions to cyberattacks. He stressed the need for increased resilience and faster response capabilities.
The PKGr, responsible for overseeing Germany’s intelligence services, is prioritizing improvements in drone detection and defense, which Henrichmann identified as an area requiring significant progress, particularly at sensitive infrastructure locations.
The heightened concern follows recent events in Denmark, where the government declared a “hybrid attack” after multiple drone sightings disrupted operations at several airports. Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen suggested a professional actor was involved, although the perpetrator’s identity remains unknown. A comprehensive drone alert at Copenhagen Airport was followed by further sightings across the country on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, leading to temporary airspace closures at Aalborg Airport and causing flight cancellations and diversions.