German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt remarked on Friday that the temporary closure of Munich airport due to drone sightings serves as a “wake-up call” regarding the increasing threat posed by drones, which have triggered multiple aviation disruptions across Europe.
Recently, airports in Denmark, Norway, and Poland paused operations following reports of unidentified drones, while Romania and Estonia have blamed Russia, a claim that Moscow has dismissed.
On Thursday night, Munich’s airspace was shut down after several drones were detected, resulting in over 30 flight cancellations or diversions and leaving nearly 3,000 travelers stranded.
In an interview with Bild newspaper, Dobrindt characterized the event as “another wake-up call.” He emphasized the growing difficulty in keeping pace with the threats posed by drones and the defenses against them, noting the urgent need for “increased funding and research” at both national and European levels.
A representative for Munich airport announced via a statement to AFP that flight operations returned to normal by 5:00 a.m. on Friday morning. Affected passengers have been rebooked onto new flights, and those flights canceled on Thursday are being rescheduled for Friday.
Lufthansa’s spokesperson also confirmed that “flight operations have since returned to the planned schedule.” They noted that the airport suspension impacted 19 Lufthansa flights, resulting in cancellations or rerouting.
Earlier, a police spokesperson informed AFP that several individuals reported drone sightings around the airport at about 7:30 p.m. GMT on Thursday and again an hour later, which led to both runways being shut down for an hour. The airport provided camp beds, blankets, refreshments, and snacks for passengers affected by the disruption.
German authorities have initiated a search to track down the source of the drones. Police helicopters were dispatched; however, “no information is available on the type and number of drones,” the spokesperson stated.
This incident occurred just before German Unity Day, a national holiday, and the last weekend of Oktoberfest, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to Munich daily. The annual beer festival had previously experienced a temporary closure on Wednesday due to a bomb scare.
The German government is expected on Wednesday to approve a legislative change allowing the military to take down drones when necessary. Bavarian state premier Markus Soeder told Bild that immediate action to “shoot [drones] down” is essential rather than waiting, and he asserted that police should also be equipped with this authority.
Concerns have increased with drone sightings in Denmark and notable aerial incursions by Russian aircraft in Estonia and Poland, as there are fears that Russia’s actions in Ukraine might extend beyond its borders.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cautioned Europe on Thursday that the recent drone incidents indicate Moscow’s intent to “escalate” its aggressions. Germany remains on high alert after swarms of drones flew over its territory last week, including over key military and industrial locations.
Dobrindt pointed out the need for Berlin to “develop new responses to this hybrid threat,” including possibly intercepting drones. Denmark has also raised its concerns, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reiterating last week that a single nation “poses a threat to Europe’s security — and that’s Russia.”
Moscow has strongly rejected any implications of involvement, with President Vladimir Putin accusing Europe of inciting “hysteria” to rationalize increased military expenditures.
This week, EU leaders convened in Copenhagen to address strengthening the bloc’s defenses by considering the establishment of a “drone wall.” Denmark accepted Sweden’s offer of anti-drone technology to ensure the smooth conduct of the meeting.
At the same time, the United States is supplying anti-drone defense systems to Denmark, as stated by the Copenhagen Defense Ministry. NATO has announced that it has “heightened vigilance” in the Baltic region following these airspace violations.
