Munich Airport was forced to close its runways on Friday evening for the second time in less than 24 hours after unidentified drones were spotted in the area, leading to the diversion or cancellation of dozens of flights and disrupting travel for some 6,500 passengers.
The incident is the latest in a series of similar events that have rattled the aviation sector across Europe, raising fears of “hybrid warfare” attacks by unknown actors, possibly at the behest of Russia, on Ukraine’s European allies. The Kremlin has denied any involvement.
Authorities have vowed to introduce strict new measures that would allow for drones to be shot down.
Early on Saturday morning, the international airport in southern Germany announced it was postponing its scheduled 5 a.m. (0300 GMT) reopening due to the drone sightings and advised travellers to contact their airlines. It later announced that operations would resume gradually from 7 a.m. local time (0500 GMT).
A statement on the airport’s website said that “German air traffic control has decided to restrict and suspend flight operations at Munich Airport until further notice as a precautionary measure due to unconfirmed drone sightings.”
In a later update, the airport noted that 23 inbound flights had been diverted, and 48 flights scheduled to depart from Munich had been cancelled or delayed. “As on the previous night, the airport and airlines took care of the passengers, distributing beds, blankets, drinks and snacks,” the statement added.
On Thursday evening, the airport was also closed for several hours after unconfirmed drone sightings disrupted dozens of flights. The captain of a flight to London, whose take-off was cancelled, informed passengers that the runways were closed “due to drones being spotted near the take-off and landing runways” and that police helicopters were airborne.
The disruption on Friday coincided with German Unity Day, a public holiday.
New measures planned
On Friday, German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt pledged to introduce legislation that would make it easier for police to request military assistance in shooting down drones. He said he would raise the issue at a meeting of European interior ministers on Saturday, which was originally scheduled to discuss migration.
“We must ensure that technology to repel drones is significantly developed in Europe in cooperation with partners including Israel and Ukraine,” Dobrindt told reporters. He added that the planned legislation, set to be introduced in parliament next week, would allow police to call on the armed forces for help.
Separately, in Brussels, the Belgian defence ministry announced it had opened an investigation into several drones flying over the Elsenborn military base on the border with Germany during the night.
The incidents come as European security services warn of increased hybrid threats. The Danish intelligence service has said that Russia is waging a “hybrid war” against the West.
