CRIME ENFORCEMENT
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Fredrik Kämpfe from Transportföretagen and Nils Paul from Svenskt Näringsliv warn that broken infrastructure can lead to serious consequences. Image: Ryno Quantz, Mostphotos, Stefan Tell
The police are investigating suspected airport sabotage after drones disrupted traffic at Arlanda. Now the industry is warning that the problems with unauthorized drones may increase – with serious consequences as a result. “Society must mark clearly,” says Fredrik Kämpfe at Transportföretagen to TN.
Published: 9 Sep 2024, 16:18
Updated: 10 Sep 2024, 09:12
For over two and a half hours, air traffic was at a standstill at Arlanda during the night to Monday. That since the Civil Aviation Authority decided to stop traffic after several drones were noticed in the airport area. The shutdown lasted between half past four last night and, according to Swedavia, affected five arriving flights. Three of them were reportedly able to land at Arlanda, albeit heavily delayed, while the other two had to be diverted to Landvetter and Helsinki.
Had the incident occurred during the day, however, the consequences could have been much more extensive.
– Flight safety must always come first and therefore the airport needs to be closed if there are unauthorized drones in the airspace. I have great respect for that decision, says Nils Paul, infrastructure expert at Svenskt Näringsliv.
– It is very serious that critical infrastructure such as an airport is forced to close. The fact that Arlanda is forced to redirect air traffic to other airports has consequences for companies and travelers, but ultimately for preparedness. For example, ambulance flights need to be able to take off and land, he continues.
Tougher legislation underway
Who or who were behind the unauthorized drone flights is currently unclear, but the incident is now being investigated by the police as suspected airport sabotage. Something that is welcomed by Nils Paul, who tells us that tougher legislation may be on the way in the area.
– Right now, the government has a referral out with proposals for changes to the Aviation Act for effective sanctions against those who fly recklessly with drones. It is important that there are resources to investigate and prosecute incidents like this, he says.
Fredrik Kämpfe, industry manager for Transportföretagen Flyg, believes that it is not really anything new that drones cause disruptions in air traffic, it has happened both in Sweden and abroad before. However, he sees a risk that increased use of drones could lead to greater challenges.
– What has happened this time we don’t know, so I don’t want to speculate. But it is clear that it is always serious that an airport has to close in this way, just like when roads or railways are affected for various reasons. Infrastructure is sensitive and this type of event is a detriment to society, he says.
“Must be followed by tangible sanctions”
He points out that airports have routines for dealing with airspace disturbances of this kind and that there is therefore no direct risk to passengers. Flights are simply not allowed to take off or land if safety cannot be guaranteed. However, this type of event can of course cause both concern and delays as well as increased costs for the airlines.
And just like Nils Paul, he points out that the consequences can quickly become serious if, for example, ambulance flights cannot land where they are supposed to.
– As drones become more common, this is something that you need to take note of and think about how to handle going forward. In general, I believe that it must be followed by tangible sanctions if you engage in vandalism or cause obstacles in the infrastructure. Society must see it as something serious and mark it clearly, for example through higher penalties or that these crimes are prioritized in our justice system.
According to Daniel Ackermann, press officer at the Civil Aviation Authority, it was the police who alerted them to the first drone. Later, a total of four drones were discovered in the area, which is why the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority made the decision to suspend air traffic. Only an hour after the last drone had been seen in the area could traffic resume again.
– Before the drone pilot flies his drone, he or she is obliged to check which rules and restrictions apply in the airspace in question. There are both temporary and permanent rules that you need to be aware of.
“Based on following the rules”
Generally speaking, flight bans apply at airports and at other sensitive areas, such as places that have a connection to defence.
How close to an airport can you fly a drone?
– It looks a little different for different airports, but there is always a geographical area, or a three-dimensional airspace where it is forbidden to fly.
Is there a way to block drone traffic in the areas in question or is the system based on the drone pilot choosing to follow the rules?
– It is largely based on following the rules. There are many types of drones, they are of different sizes and technologically advanced, so the possibilities of blocking them from the airspace are limited.
The police have started a preliminary investigation into airport sabotage and violations of the Protection Act. TN has been in contact with the police press service, which does not want to comment on the investigation, citing pre-trial confidentiality.
TN has also spoken to Swedavia’s press service, which announces that the company is cooperating with the relevant authorities, but otherwise does not want to comment on the incident.
Published: 9 Sep 2024, 16:18
Updated: 10 Sep 2024, 09:12
Crime Enforcement: The Growing Threat of Airport Sabotage and Drone Disruptions
The recent incident at Stockholm’s Arlanda airport, where air traffic was suspended due to drone sightings, has raised concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to intentional acts of sabotage [[2]]. The police are investigating the incident as suspected airport sabotage, highlighting the need for enhanced crime enforcement measures to protect airports from such threats.
Airport sabotage, including intentional acts such as hijacking, terrorism, or direct military action, are not considered accidents and pose a significant risk to air travel safety [[1]]. The Arlanda incident, which lasted for over two and a half hours, had significant consequences for travelers and companies, and could have been even more extensive if it had occurred during the day.
The incident has sparked concerns about the increased use of drones and the potential for disruptions in air traffic. Fredrik Kämpfe, industry manager for Transportföretagen Flyg, believes that the problems with unauthorized drones may increase, leading to serious consequences for flight safety and critical infrastructure [[3]].
In response to the growing threat of drone disruptions, the government is proposing changes to the Aviation Act to introduce effective sanctions against those who fly recklessly with drones. Nils Paul, infrastructure expert at Svenskt Näringsliv, welcomes the move, emphasizing the importance of having resources to investigate and prosecute incidents like this [[3]].
The incident at Arlanda is not an isolated event. France has recently warned of possible sabotage of airports, and intelligence services have communicated the risk to airports across the country [[3]]. The threat of airport sabotage is a global concern, highlighting the need for enhanced security measures and cooperation between authorities to prevent such incidents.
the recent incident at Arlanda airport highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to intentional acts of sabotage and drone disruptions. The need for enhanced crime enforcement measures, including tougher legislation and improved security protocols, is crucial to protecting airports and ensuring the safety of air travel. By working together, authorities and industry stakeholders can reduce the risk of airport sabotage and minimize the impact of drone disruptions on air travel.
References:
[1] Flights Safety Foundation. (n.d.). Sabotage/Intentional Acts Archives. Retrieved from
[2] Novaya Gazeta. (2024, September 9). Sweden’s largest airport temporarily closed due to drone sightings. Retrieved from
[3] Agenzia Nova. (2024, July 27). France, intelligence warns of possible sabotage of airports. Retrieved from
