Germany’s Munich Airport has resumed operations after a temporary closure due to multiple drone sightings that led to significant flight cancellations and delays, affecting thousands of travelers. The airport, one of the busiest in Germany, reopened incrementally starting at 7 a.m. local time on Saturday, following the abrupt halt of operations the previous evening.
The incident highlights growing concerns regarding air travel security amid heightened tensions stemming from Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. On Friday night, authorities restricted air traffic and eventually halted all flights around 9:30 p.m. following confirmed reports of drones near the airport’s north and south runways. As a result, 46 flights were either canceled or delayed, leaving approximately 6,500 passengers in disarray.
A police spokesman confirmed to AFP that two confirmed drone sightings occurred shortly before 11 p.m., but the drones swiftly moved out of sight before authorities could ascertain their origin. Currently, there is no information on who may be responsible for these overflights, although experts caution that various individuals or groups could potentially operate drones without proper authorization.
The disruption at Munich Airport comes alongside a broader pattern of flight suspensions across Europe. Recent weeks have seen airports in Denmark, Norway, and Poland also temporarily halt operations due to unidentified drone activity. Romania and Estonia have directly attributed drone incursions to Russia, while Belgium reported sightings of drones over a military base.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt characterized the initial incident at Munich Airport as a “wake-up call” regarding the growing threat posed by drones. He emphasized the urgent need for increased funding and research into drone-related security measures at both national and European levels.
The timing of these disruptions is particularly notable as they coincided with the national celebration of German Unity Day and the festivities surrounding the final weekend of Oktoberfest, which had already faced interruptions due to a bomb scare earlier in the week.
In light of these incidents, the German government is expected to approve new legislation that would empower the military to take necessary actions against drones, including the potential to shoot them down.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has cautioned that the recent surge in drone activity indicates a potential escalation of Russian aggression in Europe. Germany remains vigilant, having recently reported multiple drone sightings over sensitive military and industrial locations.
Denmark has echoed these security concerns, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen asserting that only one nation poses a significant threat to Europe—Russia. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin has vehemently denied any involvement in the drone sightings, labeling the accusations as unfounded and accusing European nations of inciting “hysteria” to rationalize increased military expenditures.
In a somewhat dismissive tone during a discussion in Sochi, Putin remarked on European claims that Russian drones had breached NATO airspace, humorously pledging not to send any more drones to Denmark or any other European nations.
As tensions escalate and air travel security remains a pressing issue, the ongoing situation at Munich Airport serves as a stark reminder of the complex geopolitical landscape in which European nations find themselves today.
