Leipzig-Halle Airport. Photo: Markus Mainka / Shutterstock.com German authorities have taken over a high-profile investigation after a drone carrying a suspected explosive device was found inside the secure area of Leipzig -Halle Airport, while a second unidentified flying object reportedly collided with a cargo aircraft during the same night.
The investigation is now being led by the Central Office for Extremism Saxony (ZESA) at the Dresden Public Prosecutor's Office together with the Saxony State Criminal Police Office's Police Terrorism and Extremism Prevention Center (PTAZ) due to the potential threat to critical infrastructure.
According to investigators, the first incident occurred during the night of August 4-5, 2026, when an airport employee discovered a drone carrying a suspicious object near the South Runway in the airport's secure cargo operations area.
Specialists from the Federal Police responded to the scene, deploying a bomb disposal robot to inspect the object. Authorities confirmed that the Federal Police's explosive ordnance disposal unit safely removed the detonator from the device.
A second incident unfolded shortly afterwards when another unidentified flying object reportedly struck a cargo aircraft . The aircraft had aborted its landing because the runway had already been closed following the drone discovery.
The cargo plane later landed safely in Hanover, where inspectors found minor damage to the aircraft.
Following the drone discovery, airport operations were temporarily suspended overnight while security personnel conducted a comprehensive search of the airport grounds.
The airport later reopened its North Runway, allowing operations to resume, while the South Runway remained closed for maintenance and further inspections.
Officials stressed that there is no danger to passengers or airport staff, adding that scheduled passenger flights have not been affected by the incidents.
Authorities are now appealing to the public for assistance. The Saxony State Criminal Police Office has established a dedicated telephone hotline and an online reporting portal, urging anyone who was near Leipzig/Halle Airport between the afternoon of August 4 and the morning of August 5 to come forward with information about suspicious people, vehicles, or unusual activity. Investigators are also asking the public to share relevant photos, videos, and information circulating on social media that could help identify those responsible.