Munich Airport Temporarily Shut After Drone Sightings, Hundreds of Flights Disrupted

Munich Airport was forced to suspend operations temporarily after multiple unauthorized drones were spotted near the airfield, causing widespread disruption to passenger flights. The closure, which occurred late Thursday night, led to the cancellation of 17 departing flights and the diversion of 15 inbound flights to alternate airports across Germany and Austria, affecting nearly 3,000 passengers. Operations resumed early Friday morning, though authorities have not yet identified who was responsible for the drone activity.

The incident comes amid rising concerns about airspace security in Europe, following a series of drone-related disruptions in countries including Denmark and Norway. German officials have noted the potential for such events to constitute a hybrid security threat, with some observers speculating links to state or non-state actors, although Russian authorities have denied involvement. European Union officials are reportedly considering enhanced measures to bolster counter-drone defenses across the continent.

Bavarian Premier Markus Söder urged authorities to grant police the ability to neutralize unauthorized drones in order to ensure safety and maintain control over national airspace. Federal and state police have launched an investigation, though specific details about the drones’ origin or operators have not been released.

The closure coincided with the final weekend of Oktoberfest and the lead-up to German Unity Day, heightening concerns about the disruption’s impact on tourism and public safety. Airport officials confirmed that staff were deployed to manage stranded passengers and assist with rebookings, while aviation authorities continue to assess whether additional measures—such as drone detection systems or restricted flight zones—are needed to prevent similar incidents.

The Munich closure highlights growing vulnerability in European airspace to unauthorized drone activity, prompting calls for tighter security protocols as authorities seek to safeguard passengers and commercial aviation operations.