Germany is installing a drone detection system at Berlin airport

Germany’s air traffic control authority has commissioned a drone detection system at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) to identify aircraft early in takeoff areas and alert authorities in the event of a risk to air traffic.

The system was installed following a series of incidents reported near airports in Germany. Transport Minister Steffen Bilger said that the threats posed by drones around airports are being taken seriously and that international airports need to be rapidly equipped with similar technologies.

BER recorded the most drone sightings of any German airport in the first half of the year. The control tower reported 28 cases in the first six months, exceeding even the number of incidents at Frankfurt, the country’s largest airport. In seven of these situations, flight operations were temporarily suspended.

The Transport Ministry announced that other international airports in Germany will also receive drone detection systems in takeoff areas over the course of this year. The measure is intended to reduce risks to aircraft and limit disruptions to airport operations.