Overview
- An aircraft struck a hare during landing at Dresden Airport, prompting on-site staff to stop operations for safety checks.
- Airport authorities closed the runway briefly and said a prescribed 'special procedure' of control and inspection was carried out before reopening.
- Flight-radar data show an Aerowest Cessna, a Vueling A321 and a SWISS A220 circled in Dresden airspace for about 30 minutes while arrivals were paused.
- One SWISS aircraft was diverted to Leipzig/Halle after repeated holds, and the plane that hit the hare reportedly continued without damage, according to the airport spokesperson.
- Officials are still evaluating the incident and investigators used ADS‑B flight‑radar traces along with the airport statement to reconstruct the sequence of delays and the diversion, highlighting how small wildlife strikes can disrupt airport operations.