Munich Airport Reopens After Drone Sightings Cause Major Flight Disruptions
Germany’s Munich Airport has resumed operations after multiple drone sightings forced an emergency closure on Thursday night, grounding flights and leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
The sudden suspension caused chaos at one of Europe’s busiest airports, where at least 17 flights were cancelled, affecting nearly 3,000 passengers, while another 15 flights had to be diverted to nearby cities, including Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Frankfurt, and Vienna.
Airport officials confirmed that the airspace was shut down around 9:30 p.m. local time (7:30 p.m. GMT) after drones were spotted near the airport. The closure lasted for several hours before flights were allowed to resume early Friday morning.
A spokesperson for Lufthansa, Germany’s flag carrier airline, confirmed that operations were now running “according to schedule,” though the disruption left a trail of delays and stranded passengers.
How the Drone Incident Unfolded
According to federal police, the drones were first detected late on Thursday evening and were spotted again about an hour later. Because it was dark, authorities were unable to confirm the type, size, or origin of the devices.
Munich Airport, which typically observes a strict midnight-to-5:00 a.m. curfew, was forced to halt departures earlier than usual. Departing flights were immediately suspended, while air traffic control rerouted incoming aircraft to alternative airports.
In total, 19 Lufthansa flights were directly impacted, either through cancellation or diversion.
Stefan Bayer, spokesperson for the Federal Police, told German media outlet Bild that investigations were ongoing but so far no suspects had been identified. The origins of the drones remain a mystery.
Passengers Stranded Overnight
The drone sightings caused widespread disruption for passengers traveling through Munich. With Oktoberfest currently drawing millions of visitors to the Bavarian capital, demand for flights was already higher than usual.
Airport staff scrambled to provide assistance to stranded travelers, setting up camp beds and distributing blankets, drinks, and snacks.
“Thousands of passengers were affected, but we ensured basic care was provided until flights resumed,” the airport said in a statement.
For many, however, the disruption added stress to an already busy travel period. Some passengers took to social media to vent their frustration, while others expressed concern over the growing threat of drones near airports.
Wider European Drone Concerns
Munich is not the only European airport to face disruptions from drone activity in recent weeks. Authorities across the continent have reported a surge in drone sightings, sparking concerns over aviation safety and national security.
Just hours before the Munich incident, Belgian authorities reported spotting 15 drones above the Elsenborn military site, near the German border. After crossing into Belgium, the drones were also observed in the small German town of Düren, raising alarms on both sides of the border.
Separately, airports in Copenhagen and Oslo were also forced to suspend flights recently after drones were spotted near restricted airspace.
These incidents come amid heightened geopolitical tensions in Europe. Reports of Russian drones crossing into Poland and Russian MiG-31 fighter jets briefly entering Estonian airspace have further fueled speculation about foreign interference.
Although Russia has denied any involvement, the timing of the drone activity has raised eyebrows. At a summit in Sochi, Russian President Vladimir Putin jokingly dismissed suggestions that Moscow had ordered drones into European skies.
“I won’t do it again—not to France, Denmark, or Copenhagen,” Putin quipped, laughing off the allegations.
Growing Security Concerns
The increasing number of drone incidents near sensitive sites—particularly airports and military bases—has raised serious concerns for European governments and airlines.
Aviation experts warn that drones pose a significant risk to passenger safety. Even small consumer drones can cause catastrophic damage if they collide with aircraft engines or windshields during takeoff or landing.
Security analysts also point out that drones could be used for surveillance, smuggling, or even hostile acts. As such, European Union leaders recently convened a summit in Copenhagen to discuss tighter regulations, improved detection systems, and better cross-border coordination.
Lt. Gen. Deependra Singh Hooda, a former commander of India’s Northern Army (quoted in earlier EU-related reports), noted that “drones are increasingly being used to test air defenses and disrupt civilian infrastructure.” He emphasized that incidents like the Munich closure highlight “just how vulnerable airports can be.”
Economic and Social Fallout
The drone disruption could not have come at a worse time for Munich. The city is currently hosting Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer festival, which attracts more than six million visitors each year.
For tourists hoping to fly in and out of Munich during the festival, the delays caused significant inconvenience. Hoteliers and local businesses also expressed concern, as last-minute cancellations and diversions disrupted travel plans.
The aviation sector, already struggling with post-pandemic recovery and rising fuel costs, is now grappling with the added challenge of drone-related disruptions. Airlines warn that such incidents not only erode passenger confidence but also carry heavy financial costs in terms of diversions, delays, and compensation.
What Happens Next?
German authorities have launched an investigation into the Munich drone sightings but have not yet identified the operators. Officials say the incident is being taken “extremely seriously” given the potential threat to aviation safety.
Munich Airport has pledged to upgrade its drone detection systems and work closely with law enforcement to prevent similar shutdowns in the future. Meanwhile, the German federal government is expected to push for stricter EU-wide drone regulations, including possible penalties for unauthorized flights near airports.
For now, Munich Airport is back to normal operations, but the event serves as a stark reminder of the challenges drones pose to aviation security. With similar incidents unfolding across Europe, experts say the problem is likely to grow unless stronger preventive measures are introduced.
As passengers continue to board flights and Oktoberfest carries on, the shadow of Thursday night’s disruption lingers. Travelers and airlines alike are left asking: how many more drone incidents will it take before Europe finds a lasting solution?