Flight disruptions eased at Munich International Airport after drone sightings on Thursday led German authorities to suspend operations at the country’s second-biggest hub.
Flight operations have been running normally since 5 a.m. local time, airport officials said Friday. Thousands of passengers were affected late Thursday when 17 departures were grounded and 15 incoming flights were diverted to Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna and Frankfurt.
Passenger safety is the top priority, and detection and defense against drones remain sovereign tasks, . Authorities haven’t said whether they’ve determined who was responsible.
The Munich disruption follows recent drone incidents across Europe that forced temporary closures and large-scale diversions at major hubs, including Copenhagen and Oslo, and prompted officials to warn of sophisticated operators and broader security implications. A spate of aerial incursions has sparked talks in the European Union around building a “.”
As of midmorning on Friday, 15 flights were and 46 delayed, based on data from tracking firm FlightAware, as the effects of the late-Thursday incident rippled into the following day.
Flight operations at Munich were initially restricted, and later suspended altogether after the drone sightings, according to Thursday’s statement. The airport, together with airlines, cared for nearly 3,000 passengers in the terminals, setting up camp beds and providing blankets, drinks and snacks.
Drone incursions have been an issue in Europe for years, but have picked up pace since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. In recent months, Russian military drones have slipped into Polish airspace, leading to expensive interceptions by NATO aircraft.
In the last two weeks, small drones were reported around Danish airports and military facilities, and authorities have not disclosed what their origin was. EU countries contributed additional defense systems to protect against drones during this week’s summit in Copenhagen, where EU leaders discussed a raft of so-called hybrid attacks.
The idea of a “drone wall” was first proposed last year as a way to tighten border security, but the idea gained momentum in recent months after European Union President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned the idea in her state of the union address.
Photograph: Police and fire services at Munich Airport following drone sightings. Photo credit: Jason Tschepljakow/picture alliance/Getty Images
- Denmark Warns Russian Sabotage Likely as Another Drone Suspected
- Denmark Reels From Second Drone Attack in a Week Halting Flights
- Drones, Systems Hack Test Europe’s Aviation Security Defenses
- Denmark Links Drones at Copenhagen Airport to Hybrid Attacks Across Europe
- Western Officials Say Russia Is Behind Campaign of Sabotage Across Europe
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Workers’ Compensation Continues to Lead P/C Industry With Strong Profits 
Singer’s Elliott Escalates Battle With Texas Private Equity Firm 
IBHS Study Shows Smaller Hail May Be More Damaging to Roofs Than Once Believed 
Gallagher Sues Two Former Brokers Who Started Own Firm 
