Flight operations at Leipzig/Halle Airport in eastern Germany were temporarily suspended on Tuesday night and had not fully returned to normal by Wednesday following two separate security incidents involving an unidentified flying object and an object found on the runway.
NATO confirmed that a drone was detected near a Ukrainian aircraft at the airport during the night.
Separately, a source told Reuters that a DHL cargo aircraft collided with an unidentified object shortly after take-off from Leipzig Airport and subsequently diverted to Hannover Airport, where it carried out an emergency landing.
Circumstances remain unclear
German police said the situation remains under investigation and that the precise circumstances surrounding the incidents have yet to be clarified.
A police spokesperson told AFP that there was "no danger to the public".
Strategic aviation hub
Leipzig/Halle Airport plays a key role in the transportation of military equipment destined for the German armed forces and NATO allies.
The airport also serves as a base for the fleet of Ukrainian cargo carrier Antonov Airlines.
In addition, it hosts the European sorting hub of DHL Express, a subsidiary of Germany's Deutsche Post.
Previous security incidents
The airport has been linked to other security-related incidents in recent years.
In July 2024, a parcel caught fire at the DHL logistics centre before it could be loaded onto an aircraft. Germany's intelligence chief later publicly blamed Moscow for the incident.
In September 2025, a Chinese national was convicted of espionage after transmitting information about airport flights, cargo and passengers to a former aide of a far-right German lawmaker. The information reportedly related in part to the transport of military personnel and equipment connected to a German arms manufacturer.
Authorities have not indicated whether the latest incidents are connected to any broader security concerns.
