Drone Incidents Force Two Airport Closures
Munich Airport is slowly returning to normal operations following two separate shutdowns caused by drones detected near its runways. The first disruption occurred late Thursday night when air traffic controllers suspended all flights. Although services briefly resumed on Friday morning, further drone activity later that day led to another halt, causing some aircraft to divert to airports in Stuttgart and Vienna.
Passengers Stranded and Delayed
The closures affected thousands of travelers, with more than 6,500 people impacted during the second shutdown alone. Many passengers were forced to remain in the terminals overnight, with airport staff providing temporary bedding, snacks, and drinks. Flights have now begun operating again, but airlines have warned that delays and cancellations may continue as the airport works to catch up on its schedule.
Authorities Address Security Risks
Officials have yet to identify who was responsible for the drone flights or determine the number of drones involved. The incidents have raised renewed concerns about the safety of critical infrastructure. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced plans to expedite legislation that would strengthen counter-drone measures, potentially including military assistance to safeguard airports and other essential sites.
