**Drone Drama at Munich Airport: What You Need to Know**
Germany’s Munich airport faced significant disruption due to drone sightings, leading to its closure on Thursday night. The airport grounded 17 flights, impacting nearly 3,000 passengers, and diverted another 15 flights to nearby cities. A Lufthansa spokesperson announced that operations resumed by Friday, however, the origin of the drones remains unknown.
The airport, known for its busy operations, detected the drones at 21:30 local time, leading to a two-hour early closure. Flights that were slated to land were rerouted to Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna, and Frankfurt. According to police, the drone sightings have drawn attention as similar incidents have led to closures at airports throughout Europe.
Belgian authorities are also probing the sighting of 15 drones over a military site near the German border, raising questions about their origins and operators. Federal Police in Germany confirmed there was no clear information available about the drones’ type or size, complicating the investigation. This situation coincides with increased tensions due to unidentified drones spotted near military airspace in various countries, notably leading to discussions at a recent leaders’ summit in Copenhagen.
Adding to the chaos, the city hosting the Oktoberfest festival, which attracts over six million visitors annually, saw thousands of passengers stranded overnight at the airport. The airport provided camp beds, blankets, drinks, and snacks to those affected, reflecting the immediate impact on travelers amid the festive season.
In related news, Russian drones were also reported near Poland, further escalating European concerns regarding airspace violations.
This scenario underscores the rising challenges that airport authorities face regarding drone incidents, compelling urgent discussions on safety and regulations across Europe.