Munich International Airport Ceases Operations for Second Day Because of UAV Encounters

Once again, Germany's Munich airport was forced to suspend all takeoffs and landings on Friday following several UAV appearances. This interruption disrupted dozens of flights and more than 6,000 passengers.

Extensive European Issues

Airports in Denmark, Norway, and Poland lately encountered similar aviation stoppages because of unverified drones. Simultaneously, Romanian authorities and Estonia have pointed fingers at Russia, which has rejected the allegations.

Friday's Incident at Munich Airport

Per a released report by Munich airport, this Friday "commencing in the evening flight operations were restricted and subsequently halted as a result of unmanned aircraft reports". As a result, 23 incoming services being diverted and twelve departures scheduled for Munich getting canceled.

Moreover, 46 outgoing flights from the airport were canceled or postponed to the next day, impacting a total of 6,500 passengers.

Law Enforcement Confirmation

A police spokesman mentioned that there were "dual verified drone sightings by law enforcement teams shortly before 11pm near the northern and southern airstrips".

"The unmanned aircraft quickly departed prior to they could be identified," the official added.

Passenger Aid

"Like the previous night, Munich airport, in collaboration with the airlines, promptly offered amenities for passengers in the terminals. Camp beds were arranged, as well as blankets, drinks, and food items," the statement stated.

The airport expects flights to restart normally at 5am the next day.

Previous Incident on Thursday Evening

The initial disruption Thursday night resulted in more than 30 air services being canceled and stranded almost 3,000 flyers delayed.

The earliest event started around 8.30pm local time as authorities stated drones were observed in locations adjacent to the airport, such as the communities of Freising area and Erding.

The Erding area plays host to a military airbase operated by the German military. Even though certain sources mentioned some of the drones were seen flying over the facility, officials did not substantiate these reports.

Initial UAVs in the vicinity of the facility's edges were observed around 9.05pm that evening, and then over the aviation facility shortly afterwards.

These observations ceased about midnight, but not before leading to the closure of the two landing strips.

Aerial units were sent but "no details is available about the models and quantity of drones", authorities said.

Official Response

Previously that day a senior German official, Alexander Dobrindt, stated the first night’s incident acted as a "warning" regarding risks associated with unmanned aircraft.

"The competition involving the threat from drones and countermeasures for unmanned aircraft is growing increasingly challenging," he stated to media outlets, stating that "increased investment and analysis" regarding drones was urgently needed at the national and European levels.

Background of the Incident

These interruptions came as the nation observed a public holiday on Friday – a national holiday – and as Munich geared up for the last days of Oktoberfest, which brings millions visitors to Munich every day.

The annual event and funfair previously closed for half a day on Wednesday after a bomb scare.

Legal Adjustments

Berlin officials is anticipated on Wednesday to authorize measures for adjustments to legislation to permit armed forces shoot drones down under certain conditions.

A regional leader, Markus Söder, commented to outlets that "we need to have the capability to shoot [drones] down promptly instead of holding back", and added that authorities should also be authorized to take such action.

Broader European Concerns

UAV incidents across Danish territory and notable airspace breaches over Estonian land and Polish airspace have heightened fears that Russia’s assault in Ukraine might extend across the continent.

Ukraine's leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, cautioned the EU this week that the recent UAV violations demonstrated the Kremlin was looking to "escalate" its aggression.

Germany is on high alert, stating a swarm of them had flown over the country last week, with flights across military and industrial sites.

Danish authorities also raised the alarm, according to officials, the leader, emphasizing last week that one state "is a risk for continental safety – namely Moscow".

Moscow said it "firmly rejects" any implication of participation, with the Russian president, the president, accusing Europe of fueling "alarm" to justify increasing defense budgets.