1. Summary of the incident
On Friday morning, 13 February 2026, flight departures at Cologne-Bonn Airport were largely stopped after a security incident forced the closure of the secure area. The airside security checkpoints in terminals 1 and 2 were cleared at 06:37 and sealed as a precautionary measure. Authorities stressed there was no immediate danger to life and limb, and arrival flights continued to operate without interruption.
2. What happened — timeline and immediate actions
At 06:37 the airport’s air-security checkpoints in both terminals were evacuated and the secure zone was locked, making departures impossible. Reports attribute the incident to a malfunction in newly installed security screening technology: CT scanners. A passenger bag that may contain potentially dangerous items apparently passed into the secure area unchecked. Police began searching for the item and cordoned off affected areas while investigators worked to clarify the cause.
2.1 Security measures taken
Authorities implemented precautionary measures: the security zone was closed, outbound flights were suspended, checkpoints were cleared, and police started a targeted search for the suspect baggage. Officials described the action as preventive; there have been no reports of injuries and arrivals were not affected. The precise duration of the measures remained unclear while the situation was being assessed.
3. Technical background: CT scanners and new security tech
The incident appears linked to a technical failure in CT-based screening equipment that had been introduced shortly before the event. Reports indicated a malfunction in these systems could have allowed a piece of checked or carry-on baggage containing potentially dangerous items to enter the secure area without the expected detection or hold. Officials confirmed the technical problem but did not name a definitive root cause while the investigation continues.
3.1 Ongoing investigation
Federal police (Bundespolizei) and other authorities are investigating the exact cause of the failure. So far there are no credible, contradicting reports that suggest deliberate interference from third parties; however, full clarification is pending and officials have not yet set a timeline for when normal departure operations will resume.
4. Impact on travelers and practical advice
The immediate impact was that departing passengers could not access the secure area and many flights were suspended or delayed. Arriving passengers continued to be processed normally. Travelers affected by the disruption were advised to follow instructions from airport staff and law enforcement and to expect further updates as the situation develops.
- Follow official airport and police instructions on site.
- Check communications from your airline for rebooking or delay information.
- Allow extra time for onward travel and be prepared for cancellations or longer wait times.
- Keep travel documents and identification easily accessible in case of additional checks.
5. Key facts at a glance
| Key | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | 13 February 2026 |
| Start time | 06:37 (checkpoints cleared) |
| Location | Cologne-Bonn Airport, terminals 1 and 2 (secure area) |
| Affected operations | Departures largely suspended |
| Arrivals | Unaffected |
| Apparent cause | Malfunction of newly introduced CT screening technology |
| Investigation status | Ongoing; federal police and authorities investigating |
| Status | Precautionary security closure in effect; duration unclear |
