Munich, Germany – Drone sightings forced Munich Airport to suspend operations, resulting in dozens of flight cancellations and diversions on the eve of a national holiday. The incident, which occurred late Thursday evening, left nearly 3,000 passengers stranded, with many forced to spend the night at the terminal.
Airport Operations
– 17 flights were canceled, and 15 arriving flights were diverted to other airports
– Passengers were provided with camp beds, blankets, and food while waiting for the situation to be resolved
– Airport operations resumed around 5:00 AM on Friday, with affected travelers being rebooked or flights rescheduled for later
Investigation Underway
Authorities are investigating the incident, but the origin and type of drones remain unknown. Some European officials have suggested possible Russian involvement, given the recent string of similar incidents in Europe. However, no official confirmation has been made.
European Context
This incident follows recent airspace intrusions in Denmark and Norway, which led to the temporary shutdown of six military and civilian airports. Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen have warned of a potential “hybrid war” from Russia, which they say is using military means to pressure Western nations without escalating to armed conflict.
Government Response
Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder has called for stricter drone regulations, advocating for the immediate shooting down of drones in German airspace. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the need for Europe to defend itself against such incidents.