Both runways at Munich Airport were closed on Friday evening for the second time within 24 hours due to unconfirmed drone sightings, according to authorities. The German air traffic control took precautionary measures, suspending flight operations until further notice, as outlined in a statement on the airport’s website.
A spokesperson for the airport police confirmed that both runways had been shut down. Passengers on a London-bound flight, which was canceled, were informed that this was due to drone activity near the take-off and landing paths, prompting the deployment of police helicopters to monitor the situation.
Flight tracking service Flightradar24 indicated that several Munich-bound flights had to circle at a distance from the airport, while the airport’s website reported that at least ten arriving flights had been diverted starting at 8:35 PM local time (1835 GMT). This situation unfolded after a similar disruption occurred on Thursday night, where drone sightings had already led to the airport being closed for several hours.
An airport spokesperson expressed concerns over the cumulative effect of these disruptions, noting that if flights were canceled again, it could leave even more than the previously affected 3,000 passengers stranded. In recent weeks, the European aviation sector has faced increased chaos attributed to such drone sightings, with some authorities blaming these incidents on tensions related to Russia, although the Kremlin has denied any involvement.
In a related development, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has proposed new legislation aimed at facilitating military intervention by allowing police to request military support to down drones posing threats to air safety. This measure reflects escalating security concerns as authorities across Europe adapt to the growing risks associated with drone technologies in airspace.
The situation at Munich Airport serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by aviation authorities in safeguarding air travel. As concerns about safety continue to rise, timely legislative responses and collaborative efforts within the international community may provide hope for improved security measures and aviation stability moving forward.