Munich airport was forced to suspend flights for the second consecutive day on Friday after drone sightings, stranding around 6,500 passengers. The airport halted operations from 9.30pm, with 23 incoming flights diverted and 12 bound for Munich cancelled, while 46 departures were delayed or cancelled.
Police reported two simultaneous confirmed drone sightings near the north and south runways just before 11pm. The drones moved away before they could be identified. The airport provided camp beds, blankets, drinks and snacks to stranded passengers.
The disruption followed a similar incident on Thursday evening, when drones were spotted near the airport perimeter and over the complex, leading to the closure of both runways and affecting nearly 3,000 passengers. Police helicopters were deployed but no information on the type or number of drones was available.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt called the first incident a “wake-up call” on the threat from drones, noting the increasing difficulty of countering them. The German government is expected to approve a law change allowing the military to shoot down drones if necessary.
The incidents occurred during German Unity Day and the final weekend of Oktoberfest. Earlier, the festival had closed for half a day after a bomb scare. The drone sightings follow similar events in Denmark, Norway, Poland, Romania and Estonia, raising fears of Russian involvement, though Moscow denies any role.
