For the second time within 24 hours, drone sightings have disrupted operations at Munich Airport. Germany’s second-largest airport suspended all flights for the second consecutive evening. Dozens of flights and around 6,500 passengers were affected, the airport told AFP during the night to Saturday. On Saturday morning, the start of flight operations was delayed.
According to a spokesperson for the Federal Police, the drones were seen shortly before 11:00 p.m. near both the north and south runways. “The drones immediately moved away before they could be identified.” Earlier, officers had responded to a tip about a possible drone sighting. Air traffic control restricted and subsequently suspended all flight operations around 9:30 p.m. as a precaution.
Because of Friday evening’s suspension, 23 incoming flights had to be diverted, the airport told AFP. Twelve flights bound for Munich were canceled. According to the airport, 46 departures could not take place as scheduled and were either canceled or postponed to Saturday. Around 6,500 passengers were affected. Field beds were set up for stranded passengers, and blankets, drinks, and snacks were distributed.
The disruptions continued into Saturday morning, as flight operations remained delayed, the airport said. “We ask all passengers to check with their airline about their flight status before traveling to Munich Airport,” a spokesperson said. It was initially unclear how long the delays would last. Normally, flight operations were scheduled to begin at 5:00 a.m.
Operations at Germany’s second-largest airport had already been halted on Thursday evening following drone sightings in and around the airport, affecting nearly 3,000 passengers, according to airport officials. It remained unclear whether one or multiple drones were involved. Police said no perpetrator had been identified. Operations resumed on Friday morning.
The drone sightings on Thursday evening have renewed calls for stronger drone defense measures. “We need more funding, support, and research now,” said Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU). Recently, numerous overflights by drones of unknown origin above Danish airports and military installations have attracted attention. Drones were also sighted over Schleswig-Holstein last week.
Dobrindt stated a few days ago that the threat to security in Germany has increased and announced plans to establish a new drone defense center. Under his proposal, the German Armed Forces will soon be allowed to take part in combating drones. On Friday, prior to the evening’s additional sightings, he described the drone incidents over Munich as “another wake-up call.” The race “between drone threats and drone defense is becoming increasingly tough,” he said.
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