Munich Airport has reopened after drone sightings forced flights to stop overnight. The incident caused major disruption for passengers and airlines before operations resumed early Friday morning.
The suspension began late Thursday when drones were reported flying over the airport. For safety reasons, all flights were halted while authorities investigated. During the closure, nearly 3,000 passengers were affected as departures and arrivals were canceled or diverted.
According to reports, around 17 flights scheduled to leave Munich were canceled. Another 15 incoming flights were diverted to nearby airports, including Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Frankfurt, and Vienna. Passengers who were unable to travel were given food, blankets, and camp beds inside the terminals. Some were also moved to hotels until flights resumed.
Munich Airport resumed operations just after 5 a.m. local time on Friday. A flight from Bangkok was among the first to land. While some delays and minor cancellations continued in the morning, most services returned to normal by midday.
Authorities said the drones were spotted in low visibility, making it difficult to confirm their size or origin. Police teams searched the area around Munich Airport but have not confirmed any findings. No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the incident.
The disruption comes as Europe faces increasing concerns about drone activity near critical infrastructure. Similar incidents were reported recently in Denmark and Norway. European leaders have already discussed creating stronger anti-drone defenses to prevent future threats.
Munich Airport is one of Germany’s busiest hubs, handling millions of passengers each year. The incident highlights the growing security risks drones pose to aviation safety.
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