A fence breach halted north-side operations at Leipzig/Halle Airport for roughly 15 hours before the runway reopened, while police investigated a 20-year-old driver who said through a lawyer that he lost control of an Audi.
The Leipzig Police Directorate said the fence at the airport in Schkeuditz was damaged at about 5 p.m. ET Saturday, Oct. 17 (21:00 UTC). The north runway reopened at 8 a.m. ET Sunday, Oct. 18 (12:00 UTC), according to the German Federal Police. The south runway remained in operation during the closure.
Two men, ages 20 and 32, contacted police and prosecutors with lawyers on Oct. 18, the Leipzig Police Directorate said. Police identified the younger man as the driver and said he had no valid driver’s license. He said through his lawyer that he lost control and broke through the fence. The 32-year-old identified himself as the Audi’s keeper and provided no further details, police said.
Police are investigating the younger man on suspicion of driving without a license and leaving the scene. They are also examining whether the 32-year-old allowed him to drive. Police said a private tow was arranged and investigators later found the Audi at a dealership. A judge ordered the vehicle seized and searched.
The Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported, citing unnamed security sources, that the men had been practicing for a driving test. The Oct. 19 police statement does not mention driving-test practice. Police said searches found no unauthorized people or suspicious objects.
The breach followed a separate Aug. 4 drone incident at the airport. On Sept. 1, the German government described that event as an attempted attack and attributed political responsibility to Russia; it said criminal proceedings were ongoing. The Oct. 19 police statement did not address whether the incidents were connected. Police said their inquiry into the breach, the men’s roles and any possible motive is continuing.
