In a series of alarming incidents that have unsettled European aviation and military officials, unidentified drones have repeatedly breached restricted airspace over key airports and military bases across northern Europe in recent months. The most recent and dramatic episode unfolded in the Netherlands, where on the night of November 17 to 18, 2025, the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) attempted to shoot down multiple drones detected over Volkel Air Base—a site closely associated with NATO’s nuclear mission. Despite the use of live ammunition, the drones managed to evade interception, according to information released by the Dutch Ministry of Defense.
Volkel Air Base, located in the southern Netherlands, is home to a fleet of F-35A fighters and is widely believed to house US B61 nuclear gravity bombs as part of NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangement. The Dutch government, adhering to a longstanding policy, neither confirms nor denies the presence of nuclear weapons at the facility. Nevertheless, the attempted drone shoot-down marks a rare and serious escalation in the ongoing series of drone incursions targeting sensitive military sites. The Ministry of Defense has not disclosed the number, type, or coordination of the drones involved, leaving open questions about the scope and sophistication of the operation. The National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV) has since launched an investigation, with military intelligence actively analyzing radar and sensor data in hopes of tracing the drones’ origins.
Just days after the Volkel incident, another significant disruption struck nearby Eindhoven Airport, the second-largest airport in the Netherlands. On November 22, 2025, multiple drones were spotted flying near the airport around 7 p.m. local time, as reported by Reuters and confirmed by Dutch authorities. Eindhoven Airport, which serves both civilian travelers and military operations—including multinational tanker units and Royal Netherlands Air Force support aircraft—was forced to suspend all air traffic as a precaution. The shutdown lasted until approximately 11 p.m., disrupting flights for thousands of passengers and halting both civilian and military activities. Fortunately, no injuries or collisions were reported, and the airport resumed normal operations the following day.
These incidents are not isolated. In fact, they are part of a troubling pattern that has emerged across Europe in recent months. According to a Euronews analysis, Belgium experienced a staggering 10 drone incidents disrupting airport traffic in September 2025 alone. Kleine-Brogel Air Base, another site believed to host US nuclear bombs, was buzzed by unidentified drones for three consecutive nights between October 31 and November 2, 2025. Belgian Defense Minister Théo Francken did not mince words, stating, “This is very concerning, worrying. They come to spy, to see where the F-16s are, where the munitions are, and other highly strategic items.”
Elsewhere, airports in Copenhagen and Oslo were briefly shut down earlier in the year due to similar drone sightings, as reported by BBC. Denmark also saw unidentified drones over its dual-use Aalborg and Skrydstrup airports on the night of September 24 to 25, 2025. These repeated incursions have forced European authorities to reckon with a new, persistent threat that challenges both aviation safety and national security.
The effects of these drone incidents have rippled far beyond the immediate sites of disruption. Eindhoven Airport, for instance, typically serves 6-7 million passengers annually and is a crucial hub for low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Transavia. The November drone sighting not only delayed flights within the Netherlands but also caused knock-on effects for travelers in neighboring Belgium, Germany, and Denmark. Airport screens flashed updates about delays, and passengers were left in limbo for hours as authorities scrambled to ensure safety in the shared civilian and military airspace.
In response to the Eindhoven incident, Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans confirmed that counter-drone units and military police were deployed to neutralize any potential threats. The Dutch government has emphasized the need for swift and decisive action to protect critical infrastructure from these airborne intrusions. Although officials have declined to comment on whether the recent drone sightings are directly linked to each other, speculation is rife that the uptick in such incidents may be tied to broader geopolitical tensions, including concerns about so-called “hybrid warfare” in the context of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
As investigations continue, the sense of urgency has only grown. On November 24, 2025, Brussels Airport—the largest airport in Belgium—announced the cancellation of all departures scheduled for November 26 due to a national strike. While this particular disruption was unrelated to drones, it highlights the multiple challenges currently facing European air travel. The strike, which affects security and handling staff, is expected to ground over 30 flights operated by major airlines such as Brussels Airlines, British Airways, easyJet, and Ryanair. Brussels South Charleroi Airport has also warned that its operations on November 26 cannot be guaranteed due to personnel shortages, compounding the region’s aviation woes.
These labor-related disruptions come on the heels of repeated drone incursions, underscoring the vulnerability of Europe’s interconnected air transport system. With airports like Amsterdam Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle nearby, Brussels Airport is often seen as a regional player, but the cumulative impact of strikes and drone threats has been anything but minor for the airlines and passengers who rely on it.
In response to the mounting drone threat, ten European Union countries have agreed to form a so-called “drone wall”—an initiative aimed at improving detection and defense against unauthorized drones. The goal is to bolster surveillance capabilities and deploy counter-drone technologies to better safeguard both military and civilian airspaces. These measures are expected to play a key role in protecting not just airports and airbases, but also other pieces of critical infrastructure across the continent.
Despite the rapid response from authorities and the deployment of advanced countermeasures, the origins of the drones involved in the recent incidents remain unknown. As of November 24, 2025, investigations are ongoing, with officials working to determine whether there are links between the various incursions reported across northern Europe. In the meantime, travelers are being advised to check for real-time updates, as the situation remains fluid and further disruptions cannot be ruled out.
The wave of drone sightings and related disruptions at key European airports and military bases has put authorities on high alert. With both the aviation industry and national security at stake, European governments are ramping up their efforts to counter this evolving threat. The coming months will likely see increased investment in technology and closer cooperation among EU member states, as they strive to protect their skies from the growing menace of unauthorized drones.
The recent incidents in the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and beyond have made clear that the challenge posed by drones is not going away anytime soon. As investigations press forward and new defenses are rolled out, the balance between open skies and secure airspace will remain a top priority for Europe’s leaders and citizens alike.
