Munich Airport Drone Disruption: Hundreds Stranded, Flights Canceled
Munich Airport experienced significant disruptions on Thursday evening and into Friday due to suspected drone sightings, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded overnight. Operations were temporarily halted, affecting numerous departures and arrivals.
The incident began in the evening, with German air traffic control grounding flights due to unconfirmed drone sightings. Around 3,000 passengers were impacted by cancellations or diversions. Munich Airport confirmed the halt in operations and set up camp beds in terminals for passengers unable to leave.
Operations resumed early Friday morning, but disruptions continued into the evening. Some flights, including those of German airline Lufthansa, were canceled late in the evening and rescheduled for the following day. The number of affected travelers remains unknown.
Politicians are now discussing how to better protect airports from drone threats. The new Grand Coalition under Friedrich Merz promises improvements, while SPD politicians, including Federal Justice Minister Klara Geywitz, caution against excessive involvement of the German Armed Forces in internal security. State ministers, such as Bavaria's Interior Minister Herrmann and North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister Reul, demand faster functional drone defense systems and regulatory changes to permit shooting down drones when necessary. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt supports involving the German Armed Forces in combating drones.
Munich Airport's drone incident highlights the need for enhanced airport security measures. With operations resuming and disruptions continuing, affected passengers face further travel delays. Politicians are actively discussing solutions to prevent such incidents in the future.
