Munich airport reopens after drone shutdown: 17 flights canceled, 15 diverted, nearly 3,000 passengers affected
Munich airport reopens after overnight drone attack
Munich airport reopened on Friday morning after an overnight shutdown caused by drones in the sky. The incident resulted in the cancellation of 17 flights and the diversion of 15 more to other cities, including Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna and Frankfurt.
According to the administration, about 3,000 passengers were forced to spend the night at the airport. They were provided with cots, blankets and food.
First landing and gradual restoration of the schedule
The first plane from Bangkok landed at 5:25 a.m. local time. By morning, only a few cancelled flights remained on the departures board, and passengers had begun checking in for flights, including to Varna, Bulgaria.
Police confirmed that drones had been seen in the sky late in the evening, but it was impossible to determine their size or type due to darkness.
Part of a wider problem in Europe
The Munich incident was the latest in a series of similar incidents in Europe. Drones had already led to the temporary closure of airports in Denmark and Norway last week.
At an EU summit in Copenhagen, leaders agreed to strengthen anti-drone systems to protect critical infrastructure. “Europe must be able to defend itself,” said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also stressed that Russia was “trying to sow division and anxiety in European societies.”
Moscow denies any involvement. President Vladimir Putin even jokingly said that he would “no longer fly drones over Denmark.”
Additional background
The drone incident was another challenge for Munich this week. Earlier, Oktoberfest had to be temporarily halted due to a bomb threat, and explosives were also found in a residential building in the city.
The incident coincided with German Reunification Day, which is celebrated on October 3.
Related: Mysterious Drones Reported Over Germany After Denmark Incidents
