Thermal imaging plane over Warsaw — what’s happening

27 February 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

A small aircraft from Modlin Airport performed repeated night flights over southern and western Warsaw in a planned technical operation by Veolia, using thermal imaging to inspect urban energy infrastructure; here’s what expats should know.

On Thursday evening residents across southern and western Warsaw heard a small aircraft circling the city: at about 21:38 a plane departed Modlin Airport and for several hours made repeated passes over selected districts using thermal imaging. The flights were a planned technical operation by Veolia, not a military exercise or police action — but they matter to local residents and businesses.

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What happened and who is responsible

According to local reports, the aircraft departed Modlin Airport at 21:38 and carried out multiple low-altitude transects over parts of the city. The operator identified by media is Veolia, a major energy and utilities company that runs district heating and related services in many Polish cities. The company described the activity as a scheduled aerial survey using thermographic sensors.

Why thermal imaging flights are used

Thermal imaging (infrared thermography) from aircraft is a common tool for assessing large-scale energy performance and infrastructure health. At night, thermal contrasts between warm buildings, leaky pipes and the surroundings are stronger, making it easier to spot heat loss from roofs and façades, detect faults or leaks in district heating pipelines, and prioritise repairs. For a utility company such as Veolia, aerial surveys are an efficient way to map where the network loses energy or where building envelopes are poorly insulated.

Should you be worried about privacy or safety?

Authorities and companies emphasise that airborne thermographic surveys collect heat-emission data rather than high-resolution visual images. That means the sensors record temperature patterns, not detailed photos that can identify individuals. Flights of this type are typically coordinated with civil aviation authorities and subject to standard regulations; operators normally issue necessary notices to air traffic services. Noise from a small airplane may still concern residents; if you experience unusual disturbances, check municipal channels or the airport social media for notices.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: Thermal imaging (infrared thermography) detects heat patterns — it is commonly used by utilities to find heat loss from buildings and leaks in district heating systems. In Poland, companies like Veolia operate such surveys under civil aviation rules; they are not police or military operations. Data from these flights usually supports maintenance and energy-efficiency programmes and does not produce recognisable photographic images of people. If you are a tenant or property manager, such surveys can lead to targeted inspections or offers to improve insulation, which may affect future bills or building works. Modlin Airport is the regional airport north-west of central Warsaw (Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki), from which small survey aircraft commonly operate.

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