Drone Disruption at Munich Airport: 17 Flights Canceled, 15 Diverted
Munich Airport experienced substantial disruption on Thursday evening, October 2, due to multiple drone sightings. The incident led to flight suspensions and diversions, impacting numerous passengers.
The first reports of drones near Munich Airport came in around 20:30, with sightings in areas like Freising and Erding. The situation escalated around 21:05 when drones were spotted near the airport fence, and by 22:10, they were seen on the airport grounds. As a safety precaution, flight operations were suspended at 22:18, and both runways were closed from 22:35.
The incident resulted in 17 flight cancellations and 15 diversions by midnight. Incoming flights to Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna, and Frankfurt were among those affected. Authorities, including the German Air Traffic Control (DFS), state air safety authorities, police forces, and Federal Police, were swift to respond. Extensive search measures were initiated to locate the drones, with the head of the Federal Police Location Directorate Munich, Maximilian Köpf, overseeing the operation.
The Bavarian Police will continue to investigate the drone sightings at Munich Airport. While the incident caused significant disruption, with Munich Airport and airlines providing care for stranded passengers, the safety of those on the ground and in the air remained the top priority. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential hazards that drones can pose to aviation.
