An airport in the Netherlands has been shut down after ‘multiple drones’ were spotted in the area.
Air traffic at Eindhoven Airport has been suspended and flights are being diverted, including via Rotterdam, Brussels and Weeze in Germany.
Ruben Brekelmans, the Dutch defence minister, said on X (formerly Twitter) this evening: ‘Multiple drones have been spotted at Eindhoven Airport.
‘Civilian and military air traffic has therefore been suspended. Defence’s counter-drone measures are on standby to intervene.’
Brekelmans said that police and military officers are at the scene.
‘Further investigation is ongoing and we will take action where necessary,’ he added
Dozens of people have been left stranded in the departure hall, Dutch broadcaster NOS reports.
Eindhoven, in the south of the Netherlands, is used for military and civilian purposes.
Arrival boards show no flights scheduled to land today or tomorrow, while no planes will depart until tomorrow at 6.55am local time.
Earlier today that the Dutch defence ministry said drones were spotted last night over Volkel Air Base, about 18.6 miles from Eindhoven Airport.
Royal Netherlands Air Force personnel attempted to shoot them down.
Today’s sighting comes after drones were spotted hovering above airports and naval bases in Denmark, Sweden and Germany in recent months.
It’s unclear if the episodes are linked or who is responsible, but the wave put Europe on edge amid increasing tension with Russia.
Fears that the Kremlin’s war with Ukraine could spill into eastern Europe were high even before the drone sightings – Russia flew drones into Poland and Romania and sent fighter jets into Estonian airspace in September.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled?
Kristina Beanland, Lifestyle Editor of Metro, previously wrote about what passengers impacted by the drone sighting can do.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority, UK and EU airlines must look after you if your flight is delayed or cancelled.
This includes everything from meals and accommodation to an alternative flight if necessary.
Citizen’s Advice says that airlines should also give impacted passengers access to phone calls and emails and, if they offer you a place to stay, organise the journeys between the hotel and the airport.
Sometimes, the airline will cover this by handing you vouchers at the airport.
When in doubt, keep any receipts for expenses and claim them back afterwards from the airline.
But an airline will only cough up money for ‘reasonable’ expenses. The hotel minibar or penthouse suites likely can’t be expensed.
If you didn’t book with a UK or EU airline, you’ll need to check their terms and conditions. However, for the most part, airlines should provide meals and accommodation as appropriate.
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