Munich airport was forced to suspend flights for the second consecutive night on Friday due to drone sightings, affecting over 6,500 passengers. The airport halted operations from 9:30 pm local time, diverting 23 incoming flights and cancelling 12 others, while 46 departures were delayed or cancelled.
Police reported two simultaneous confirmed drone sightings near the north and south runways just before 11 pm, but the drones moved away before they could be identified. The airport provided camp beds, blankets, drinks, and snacks for stranded passengers. Operations were initially set to resume at 5 am on Saturday but were delayed until 7 am.
The first night of disruptions on Thursday saw more than 30 flights cancelled and nearly 3,000 passengers stranded. Drones were spotted near the airport perimeter at around 9:05 pm and later over the complex, leading to the closure of both runways. Police helicopters were deployed but could not identify the drones.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt called the first incident a 'wake-up call' on the drone threat, urging more financing and research at national and European levels. The disruptions occurred during German Unity Day celebrations and the final weekend of Oktoberfest, which had already been partially closed due to a bomb scare.
The German government is expected to approve a law change allowing the army to shoot down drones if necessary. Bavarian Premier Markus Söder demanded immediate authority to shoot drones down, including for police. The incidents follow drone sightings in Denmark, Norway, and Poland, with Estonia and Romania accusing Russia, which denies involvement.
