Air traffic at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport was temporarily suspended after suspected drone activity was detected in the Finnish capital region, prompting a military response and heightened security measures. Airport operator Finavia halted departures and arrivals from about 4:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. local time, with traffic resuming at 7:19 a.m.
Finland’s Defence Forces scrambled F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets to investigate the reported drone presence and support surveillance over the area. Authorities described the activity as suspicious and treated it as a potential threat to aviation safety, leading to the airspace restrictions around the country’s main international gateway.
The Prime Minister, Petteri Orpo, urged citizens to remain vigilant and follow official communications as the situation unfolded. Defence authorities increased monitoring in the capital region while law enforcement assessed the extent and origin of the suspected drones.
Later, officials said the drone threat over Helsinki no longer posed a risk, and operations at Helsinki-Vantaa returned to normal. Investigations into the incident and the source of the reported drone activity are continuing, as authorities review response procedures and airspace security around the airport.