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Hanover airport shut after car driven near runway Hanover airport shut after car driven near runway
(35 minutes later)
Hanover Airport is currently closed to flights after a car was driven through a gate near a runway, German police say. Hanover Airport closed to flights for several hours on Saturday after a man drove a car through a fence onto the tarmac.
The incident happened at around 15:40 local time (14:40 GMT).The incident happened at around 15:40 local time (14:40 GMT).
In a tweet, Hanover police said officials were able to stop the car, "overpower" a man and take him into custody. Hanover police said officials were able to stop the car, "overpower" the driver and take him into custody.
They later confirmed all flights in and out had been suspended as investigations continued. Flights in and out were suspended during their investigation, but resumed on Saturday evening after the man's vehicle was declared safe.
The incident comes just over a week after German police announced they were tightening airport security over terrorism fears. The incident came just over a week after German police announced they were tightening airport security over terrorism fears.
But police said there was no indication so far that Saturday's incident was terror-related. They said they were investigating whether the driver was under the influence of drugs. Police have said there was no indication that Saturday's incident was terror-related, and are reportedly investigating whether the man was under the influence of drugs.
The car is said to have had Polish number plates. The driver, who has not been named, is said to have driven through a perimeter fence onto the apron area of tarmac, where flights typically park and unload.
German news agency DPA said part of terminal A was closed to travellers, but two other terminals were open. Images from the airport showed a vehicle and security response close to an Aegean Airlines aircraft.
Inbound planes are being diverted to nearby airports. The car is reported to have had Polish number plates, but no information about the man's nationality is known.
It is not clear how long flights will be suspended. Inbound planes were diverted to nearby locations during the closure.
Police said flights resumed just after 20:00 (21:00 GMT) after the vehicle was searched and no danger found.
Hanover Airport is located 11km (6 miles) from the city centre. Millions of people fly through it every year, but it is not considered one of Germany's major hubs.Hanover Airport is located 11km (6 miles) from the city centre. Millions of people fly through it every year, but it is not considered one of Germany's major hubs.