Munich Airport Temporarily Closes Due to Drone Sightings

Munich Airport in Germany temporarily suspended operations on Thursday night following multiple drone sightings, leading to significant disruptions. The airport reported that 17 flights were grounded shortly after 10 p.m. local time, impacting nearly 3,000 passengers. Additionally, 15 incoming flights were diverted to alternative airports, including Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Frankfurt, and Vienna.

A call handler at Munich Airport stated, "Some flights are still waiting to take off, others have been canceled. Everything is under control and the airport is due to reopen at 5 a.m."

This incident adds to a series of recent drone-related disruptions at European airports. In Denmark, unauthorized drone activity led to the temporary closure of multiple airports, including Copenhagen and Billund, affecting tens of thousands of passengers. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen commented on the situation, stating that while authorities cannot conclude who was behind the drone sightings, "we can at least conclude that there is primarily one country that poses a threat to Europe’s security – and that is Russia."

In response to the escalating drone threats, Germany is considering revising its aviation security laws to allow military intervention, including the potential to shoot down drones. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the drone threat as "high," emphasizing the need to protect critical infrastructure and large crowds.

The recent surge in drone incidents has heightened concerns about aviation safety and security across Europe, prompting authorities to reassess and strengthen their counter-drone measures.