Munich Airport had to be closed temporarily late at night due to multiple drone sightings in the vicinity, marking the latest occurrences of unidentified drones flying over European Union airspace, as per officials. Germany’s air traffic control limited flight operations at the airport just after 10 p.m. local time on Thursday, eventually ceasing all flights, leading to the disruption of seventeen departures and affecting nearly 3,000 passengers. Meanwhile, fifteen incoming flights were redirected to alternative airports within Germany and Vienna.
Flight operations at the airport resumed at 5 a.m., confirmed Stefan Bayer, a spokesperson for Germany’s federal police stationed at Munich Airport. The responsible parties behind the drone incidents were not immediately identified by the authorities.
A statement released by the airport early the following day mentioned “multiple drone sightings,” but did not provide further details. Bayer indicated uncertainty regarding the number of drones involved, mentioning that various witnesses, including police, airline staff, and members of the public near the airport, reported the drone sightings.
Following the closure of runways, federal police deployed helicopters and other resources in an attempt to locate the drones, but no traces of them were found, according to Bayer. Numerous stranded passengers were accommodated overnight in terminals with cots or transferred to hotels, where they were provided with blankets, beverages, and snacks, as reported by the German news agency dpa.
The recent incident adds to a series of puzzling drone sightings over airports and critical infrastructure sites in multiple EU member countries. Notably, a drone incident in Oslo, the capital of Norway, a NATO member not part of the EU, disrupted flights there in the previous month.
The individuals responsible for these drone overflights remain unidentified, although European authorities have raised concerns about potential Russian involvement. Recent drone incidents in Denmark were denied by Russian authorities. However, officials in Russia and ally Belarus acknowledged that some drones utilized in Russia’s conflict in Ukraine breached the airspace of EU and NATO member Poland. This prompted Polish and NATO allies to scramble fighter jets to intercept and eliminate the drones.
The drone threats were a central topic during a summit of EU and European leaders in Copenhagen. Authorities have pledged to enhance measures to mitigate and counter the risks posed by drones.
Additionally, a Russia-associated oil tanker previously detained by French authorities, suspected of potential involvement in the drone incidents over Denmark, has resumed its maritime journey. Before departure, French officials announced that the tanker’s captain is set to face trial in February for the crew’s alleged non-cooperation during the boarding by French authorities. An investigation conducted by the French navy revealed that the vessel, originating from Russia and bound for India with a substantial oil cargo, was sailing without a flag, stated French prosecutor Stéphane Kellenberger. The tanker has undergone multiple name changes as well.
