Drone Chaos at Munich Airport: Thousands of Passengers Disrupted
Munich Airport experienced chaos on Thursday evening due to drone sightings, leading to flight disruptions and cancellations. The incident, which happened during the airport's night flight ban, has raised concerns about air traffic vulnerability to illegal drone flights, according to the airport association ADV.
Several airlines, including Lufthansa and Eurowings, were affected by the drone sightings, with flights rerouted and connections disrupted. Around 3000 passengers were impacted, many of whom spent the night in terminals on camp beds or in hotels. The incident resulted in the cancellation of 17 flights, with some diverted to other airports like Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna, and Frankfurt. Flight operations resumed early Friday morning, with several flights departing as scheduled.
This is not an isolated incident. Recent drone disruptions have also been reported in other parts of Germany and Denmark. German air traffic control has noted a significant increase in drone-related incidents at airports this year compared to previous years. At Frankfurt Airport, Germany's largest hub, 35 drone incidents have been counted this year. The incident at Munich Airport highlights the growing threat of drones to air traffic safety and the need for stricter regulations.
The drone incident at Munich Airport has caused significant disruption and inconvenience for thousands of passengers. While flight operations have resumed, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of air traffic to illegal drone flights. Stricter regulations and improved detection measures are urgently needed to ensure the safety and smooth operation of air traffic.
