Munich airport shut again after drone scare

Munich Airport again suspended all flight operations after multiple drone sightings near its runways, marking the second shutdown in under 24 hours and causing widespread disruption across the hub. Air traffic control halted takeoffs and landings as a safety precaution; both runways were closed while airport police and helicopters conducted searches. Darkness during the sightings complicated efforts to identify the devices, and no operators were immediately located, airport authorities and police said. The incident came after earlier unconfirmed drone reports had already forced a lengthy closure the previous night, leaving dozens of flights cancelled or diverted.

The latest disruption prompted mass cancellations and diversions: authorities reported numerous flights routed to nearby airports including Nuremberg and Frankfurt, while many departures were either postponed or scrubbed. Thousands of passengers were affected, with some forced to remain in terminal buildings overnight. Airport staff set up emergency accommodations — providing camp beds, blankets and food — and worked to rebook travellers and arrange alternate transport. Despite the inconvenience, many passengers expressed confidence in the airport’s security measures and said the shutdowns felt like necessary precautions.

Police deployed anti-drone units and helicopters and opened an investigation into the episodes. Officials said radar operators and flight crews had detected multiple unidentified aerial devices flying close to restricted airspace above the runways, elevating concerns about deliberate interference with civil aviation. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the repeated incidents as unacceptable and said he would push legislation aimed at making it easier for police to request military support to intercept or disable drones posing risks to critical infrastructure. Authorities and aviation regulators indicated stronger detection technology, legal powers and coordinated responses would be necessary to deter and mitigate such threats.

The closures add to a recent pattern of similar drone-related disruptions across Europe, where airports including Paris, Warsaw and Amsterdam have reported incursions that interrupted traffic and prompted emergency responses. Investigations by local police and aviation authorities are ongoing, and officials have urged heightened vigilance among both regulators and recreational drone users.