Saturday, March 29, 2025
Munich, October 3, 2025 – Air traffic at Germany’s busy Munich Airport was suddenly halted on Thursday night after multiple drones were spotted in restricted airspace. The incident led to the cancellation of 17 flights, disrupting travel plans for nearly 3,000 passengers, airport authorities confirmed in a statement on Friday morning.
The disruption occurred around 10 p.m. local time, when several drones were detected near the airport. For safety reasons, the airport was temporarily closed, and at least 15 inbound flights were diverted to other German cities including Stuttgart, Nuremberg, and Frankfurt, as well as Vienna in neighboring Austria.
Munich Airport, located in the southern state of Bavaria, is one of Europe’s busiest hubs. It handled nearly 20 million passengers in the first half of 2025 alone.
Police and fire services were immediately alerted and launched an investigation into the origin of the drones. Officials said the source remains unknown, but they suspect the incident is part of a broader pattern of drone-related disruptions reported across Europe in recent weeks.
Earlier incidents included drone sightings at Copenhagen Airport in Denmark and Oslo Airport in Norway, which caused similar disruptions. In response, Denmark imposed a temporary ban on civilian drone flights.
Aviation experts warned that such incidents could pose serious security threats, especially in NATO member states where airspace safety is critical. Although no injuries or property damage were reported in Munich, investigators are examining whether the drones could be linked to coordinated security risks.
Airport authorities advised passengers to make alternative travel arrangements and check official websites for real-time updates. The situation has heightened anxiety across Europe, with governments under pressure to tighten drone regulations and enhance airspace security.
