Airlines face new risks as Russian drones enter Polish skies

Aviation and insurance experts say the incident is another challenge for airlines already navigating global instability.

On Wednesday morning, Polish air defenses, supported by NATO aircraft, shot down several Russian drones. It marked the first known case of a NATO member using weapons in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Airports in Warsaw, Rzeszow, and Lublin were temporarily closed but later resumed operations.

Neighboring countries have previously recorded isolated flights of Russian missiles and drones crossing their borders, but none had seen an intrusion on this scale.

Global conflicts have already forced airlines to find detours, raising fuel costs and extending flight times. With airspace over Ukraine, Russia, parts of the Middle East, and Africa closed, carriers are rerouting. Many international airlines have suspended flights to the region, citing risks of collisions with drones or missiles.

The Poland incident followed Israel’s reported attempt to target Hamas leaders in Doha, further rattling the aviation sector. Shares of European airlines including British Airways, easyJet, Lufthansa, and Ryanair dropped as investors reacted.

Because the drones entered during early morning hours, disruptions were limited. Poland’s LOT redirected flights to western airports, while Wizz Air adjusted schedules after the closures. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency said no special warnings were needed, describing the situation as short-lived and under control.

Still, experts warn that the growing overlap of military drones with civilian air corridors is troubling.

“This is a worrying signal, I think, for everyone in Europe who can expect this more often,” said Eric Schouten, head of the Dutch security consultancy Dyami.

Insurance firms are closely monitoring events in Poland and the wider region. Repeated incursions or strikes could have serious implications for aviation insurance.

The worst-case scenario for airlines would be a civilian aircraft struck—by mistake or on purpose. History shows it has happened: passenger planes were downed by air defenses in 2020 and 2023, causing civilian casualties. Experts note the greatest risk is a target identification error.

Drone attack on Poland: what we know
During Russia’s mass drone assault on Ukraine, several drones repeatedly violated Polish airspace. Warsaw called it an “unprecedented act of aggression.”

Polish forces engaged and confirmed they downed several drones. Territorial defense units are helping search for wreckage.

Authorities shut down four airports—Warsaw Chopin, Warsaw-Modlin, Rzeszow-Jasionka, and Lublin—before reopening them. The situation remains under constant monitoring.

In response, Poland heightened security and activated rapid-call readiness for territorial defense forces in border regions. Soldiers in Podlaskie, Mazowieckie, Lubelskie, and Podkarpackie voivodeships can now be summoned with as little as six hours’ notice, and in other provinces within 12 hours.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that overnight on Sept. 10, Polish airspace recorded 19 Russian drones, most entering from Belarus. Four were confirmed shot down, the last at 6:45 a.m. local time (7:45 a.m. Kyiv time).