Two Shutdowns in Less Than a Day
Munich’s main airport is working its way back to normal service after drone activity twice forced air traffic to a halt. The first suspension took place on Thursday night when drones were spotted close to the runways. Flights were allowed to resume on Friday morning, but operations were again frozen later that same day after more drones were reported, disrupting schedules at one of Europe’s busiest air hubs.
Passengers Caught in the Disruption
The closures created significant problems for travelers. Thousands of people, including more than 6,000 during the second suspension, were unable to continue their journeys. Many spent the night in the terminal, where airport staff distributed bedding, food, and drinks. Airlines have since restarted limited flights, though carriers warned customers that cancellations and delays would continue through the weekend as crews and aircraft were repositioned.
Authorities Investigate and Debate Security
German police and aviation officials are investigating the incidents but have not disclosed who might be responsible or how many drones were involved. The events have triggered fresh discussion in Berlin over how to better shield critical infrastructure from drone interference. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said new legal tools will be advanced quickly, including expanded authority to deploy anti-drone systems and potentially involve the military in protecting civilian airspace.
