Munich Airport Shut Down by Drone Sightings, 6,500 Passengers Stranded
Munich Airport faced a significant disruption on Friday evening due to drone sightings, leading to the temporary restriction and indefinite suspension of flight operations. The Federal Police confirmed sightings near both north and south runways, affecting a total of 81 flights and stranding around 6,500 passengers overnight.
The incident comes amidst a growing concern over drone disruptions in Germany. By the end of August 2025, there have been 144 drone-related incidents, a significant increase from the previous year's 113 cases and 2023's 99. Munich Airport alone has experienced 6 drone sightings this year, with notable disruptions also occurring at Germany's second-largest airport on Thursday and Friday evenings. In response to these incidents, authorities are discussing enhanced legal frameworks and deploying funds to improve drone defense systems. However, there is no confirmed report that fully operational drone detection systems are currently in use at Munich Airport.
The responsibility for security measures against drones at Munich Airport primarily lies with the police, specifically the federal police for drones over airports. The German military can only intervene under strict constitutional limits. The disruptions led to the cancellation of 46 take-offs and the diversion of 23 flights to other airports. Similar drone sightings have also recently occurred over critical infrastructure in Schleswig-Holstein and caused air traffic disruptions in Denmark.
Flight operations at Munich Airport are expected to resume early Saturday morning. However, the recent increase in drone disruptions highlights the urgent need for effective drone defense systems and stricter legal frameworks. Authorities are working towards improving security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
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