Nuremberg Airport suspended operations on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, after a flight from Corfu triggered an in-flight emergency, prompting the scramble of German Air Force Eurofighters. Authorities cleared the scene shortly after the aircraft landed safely, following a morning of separate security alerts involving unidentified objects near the airfield.
Corendon Airlines Flight XR 456 Emergency
Operations at Albrecht Duerer Airport in Nuremberg were halted on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, after a passenger aircraft reported an unclear air emergency
while approaching the city. The flight, identified as Corendon Airlines flight XR 456, had departed from the Greek island of Corfu at 11:05 a.m., according to flight tracking data. The incident unfolded shortly before the scheduled 12:15 p.m. landing time.
German Air Force Eurofighter jets were scrambled to escort the aircraft to the runway, where it landed safely at 12:16 p.m. local time. While some reports indicated the aircraft transmitted the “7500” code—associated with hijacking or unlawful interference—a police spokesperson told Focus Online that authorities were assuming a possible in-flight emergency, though this remained unconfirmed. Other officials noted that it is known for pilots to accidentally transmit such codes. The Nuremberg Border Police Inspectorate and other law enforcement agencies cordoned off the facility to secure the area.
“Flight XR 456 from Corfu to Nuremberg has now landed safely.”
Nuremberg Airport
Police also stated that investigations into the cause are now underway.
Following the landing, police conducted on-site checks. A police spokesperson confirmed that the passengers and pilots were safe, stating, Everything is fine in the aircraft. The passengers are fine, the pilots are fine.
Authorities subsequently issued an all-clear, confirming that the on-site inspections determined there was no danger. The SEK special operations unit was also active at the airport during the response.
Pilots Report Unidentified Objects at Airport
The mid-day emergency followed a series of security concerns earlier that morning. Between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., three pilots independently reported seeing an unidentified object
while performing takeoff or landing procedures at the airport. German officials, border police, and air traffic control launched an immediate search, deploying a police helicopter, patrol vehicles, and drone-detection equipment, but were unable to verify the sighting or find evidence of a drone.
While some media outlets suggested the possibility of hybrid activity, authorities have not confirmed a connection between the morning drone reports and the subsequent in-flight emergency. Police spokesperson Michael Petzold noted that the measures taken did not lead to the verification of the reported object.
Heightened Vigilance Over German Infrastructure
In August, an explosives-laden drone was discovered near Ukrainian cargo planes at Leipzig/Halle Airport, a situation that led Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt to warn of a new dimension of threat.
The German government has attributed the Leipzig incident to Russia, citing intelligence and technological assessments, while announcing the closure of a Russian consulate. Moscow has denied these allegations, with President Vladimir Putin dismissing the claims.
German authorities use the term “hybrid attack” to describe a wide range of incidents, including sabotage and espionage, which have seen an increase since the start of the war in Ukraine. In May, flights at Munich Airport were also halted for approximately one hour due to a drone sighting, though no device was found. Similar disruptions occurred at Hanover Airport in August, where a drone flew for nearly two hours undetected.
Fighter jets escort passenger plane to Nuremberg as German airport shuts over aviation emergencyA Corendon Airlines flight from Corfu landed safely after being escorted by Eurofighter jets, Bild reports; police are investigating t…https://t.co/wYB853jTNn pic.twitter.com/OdhplaSESm
As the investigation into the Nuremberg incident continues, officials have stated that they are looking into the background of both the drone reports and the emergency code transmission. Passengers traveling through the airport are advised to follow instructions from airline staff and check their flight status. Authorities maintain that while investigations are underway, the airport has resumed normal operations.