Munich Airport experienced a temporary shutdown following multiple drone sightings in the vicinity, marking the latest in a series of unexplained drone activities across European Union airspace, as per officials. This led to Germany’s air traffic control initially restricting flights at the airport around 10 p.m. local time on Thursday, eventually suspending all flight operations. The disruption affected 17 departing flights, impacting nearly 3,000 passengers, while 15 incoming flights were redirected to alternative airports in Germany and Vienna.
Flight services at the airport resumed at 5 a.m., confirmed Stefan Bayer, a spokesperson for Germany’s federal police at Munich Airport. Authorities are yet to identify the individuals responsible for the drone overflights. The airport released a statement early Friday acknowledging “several drone sightings,” although specifics were not provided. Bayer mentioned that the exact number of drones involved remains unclear, with reports coming from police, airline staff, and members of the public around the airport.
Following the runway closures, federal police utilized helicopters and other resources in an attempt to locate the drones; however, no traces of the drones were found. Numerous stranded passengers spent the night in terminals on cots or were accommodated in hotels, where they were provided with blankets, beverages, and snacks, according to the German news agency dpa.
The recent incident adds to a string of mysterious drone sightings at airports and critical infrastructure locations in various European Union countries. Notably, a drone incident in Oslo, Norway’s capital, which is a NATO member but not part of the EU, disrupted flight operations there in the previous month. While the culprits behind these flyovers remain unknown, European authorities have raised concerns about potential Russian involvement. Russian officials have denied any connection to recent drone incidents in Denmark. Last month, authorities in Russia and Belarus acknowledged that drones used in Russia’s operations in Ukraine had entered the territories of EU and NATO member Poland, leading to interception efforts involving Polish and NATO fighter jets.
The issue of drone threats was a key topic at a summit of EU and European leaders in Copenhagen. Authorities have pledged to enhance measures to mitigate and counter the drone-related risks. Meanwhile, a Russia-linked oil tanker, previously detained by French authorities over suspected involvement in drone incursions over Denmark, has resumed its voyage.
Before its departure, French officials revealed that the tanker’s captain is scheduled to stand trial in February for the crew’s alleged non-cooperation during the detention. An investigation by the French navy revealed that the vessel, originating from Russia and en route to India with a significant oil cargo, was sailing without a flag, stated French prosecutor Stéphane Kellenberger. The tanker has undergone name changes on multiple occasions.
