Jean-Pierre De Muyt Shares His Perspective with HLN on Drone Detection at Leipzig Airport
On 6 August 2026, Jean-Pierre De Muyt, Director of Regulatory Affairs at Unifly, was featured in Belgian newspaper HLN, sharing his expert perspective following a recent drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany.
The incident involved a commercially available drone carrying an improvised explosive device, which was discovered close to Ukrainian cargo aircraft at the airport. HLN spoke with Jean-Pierre about how such a drone could enter a secured airport without being detected and the technology that could enable it to operate remotely or autonomously.
“The device may look amateurish, but that does not mean it was amateurishly built. It was likely configured to remain under the radar of detection systems for as long as possible.”
Jean-Pierre also explained that the operator would not necessarily need to be located near the airport. The drone could potentially be controlled over longer distances via a mobile network or be fully programmed in advance. As Jean-Pierre explained, a route can be mapped out on a computer beforehand, allowing the drone to autonomously follow the programmed route.
The incident highlights the increasing complexity of drone operations and the challenges that unauthorised drone activity can create around airports and critical infrastructure.
At Unifly, our focus is on enabling the safe and efficient integration of drones into the airspace through digital UAS Traffic Management. As drone technology and operations continue to evolve, maintaining a clear understanding of activity in the airspace remains increasingly important.
Read the full HLN article in Dutch to discover Jean-Pierre’s insights and the wider discussion surrounding the incident at Leipzig Airport.
Jean-Pierre’s comments have been translated from Dutch for this article.
About Unifly
Unifly is a technology company rooted in aviation, dedicated to enabling autonomous aviation by advancing the safety and efficiency of UAS Traffic Management. The Unifly platform connects authorities, drone operators and stakeholders to digitise and automate airspace management, supporting the safe integration of next-generation aircraft. Through Unifly Consulting, the company combines UTM solutions with recognised regulatory and safety expertise, offering SORA, regulatory guidance and operational strategy, creating a comprehensive ecosystem that powers the future of autonomous aviation worldwide.
For more information, please contact us at press@unifly.aero.
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