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Munich Airport Resumes Flights After Second Drone Scare in 24 Hours

October 4, 2025

By Bradley Shahenza

Source BBC News

Munich Airport Resumes Flights After Second Drone Scare in 24 Hours

Munich Airport reopened its airspace Saturday morning after being forced into a second shutdown within 24 hours due to suspected drone activity. The disruption affected thousands of passengers and renewed concerns about the vulnerability of European aviation to unmanned aerial incursions. Munich Airport+3Al Jazeera+3Reuters+3

According to airport officials, operations restarted “progressively” from 7:00 a.m. local time (05:00 GMT), though disruptions and delays were expected throughout the day as flights resumed and schedules normalized. NonStop Local KHQ+2Al Jazeera+2

Two Drone Incidents in Rapid Succession

The first disruption occurred Thursday night (October 2) when multiple drones were detected near Munich’s runways. The airport’s press office said drones were reported close to the perimeter and even within the airfield itself between 9:05 p.m. and 10:10 p.m., prompting officials to suspend operations from 10:18 p.m. onward for safety. Munich Airport

Flights out of Munich were grounded, and both runways were blocked during the shutdown. By that time, 17 departures were canceled and 15 incoming flights diverted. The Airport Passengers in the terminals were provided with basic amenities such as camp beds, blankets, drinks, and snacks while authorities scrambled to investigate. Munich Airport+2NonStop Local KHQ+2

A second scare unfolded late Friday as two more unmanned aerial vehicles were detected near the north and south runways around just before 11:00 p.m. Authorities said the drones quickly withdrew before they could be identified, but the threat led to another precautionary closure of air traffic control. NonStop Local KHQ+2Al Jazeera+2

In total, the two night stops impacted 46 flights (cancellations or delays) and affected about 6,500 passengers. NonStop Local KHQ+1 The airport operator acknowledged that of the 1,000 scheduled flights for that day, 170 were canceled due to “operational reasons” as the system worked to catch up. NonStop Local KHQ

Response by Authorities & Security Measures

German federal and state police, along with airport security, responded immediately by deploying helicopters and ground patrols to locate the drones and monitor surroundings. Munich Airport+1 However, no perpetrators have been identified so far. Munich Airport+1

The Airport press office emphasized the cooperation between multiple agencies — German Air Traffic Control (DFS), the state aviation security bodies, the state police, and the federal police — all operating under an existing emergency plan for drone threats. Munich Airport

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the first incident as a “wake-up call” and urged swift investment in enhanced drone detection and countermeasures. Al Jazeera+1

At a European level, the disruption adds pressure on governments to address growing drone incursions, especially near airports and critical infrastructure. Several recent cases in Denmark, Norway, and Poland have similarly triggered flight halts across EU airspace. Al Jazeera

Impact on Travelers & Airport Operations

Thousands of passengers were stranded overnight after the initial closure. Many had to sleep in terminals, using makeshift camp beds. Others were relocated to nearby hotels. Munich Airport+2NonStop Local KHQ+2

Flight schedules remain under strain. As services restart, airlines and the airport warned that delays were likely to cascade throughout the day. Reuters+2NonStop Local KHQ+2

Travelers were strongly advised to check updates from their airlines, arrive early at the airport, and expect last-minute changes. Reuters+1

Why This Matters: Security & Aviation Risks

Drone intrusions into airport airspace pose severe safety risks — collision hazards, interference with navigation systems, and disruption of emergency protocols. The Munich incidents highlight how even unarmed drones can force costly and chaotic shutdowns.

More broadly, the pattern of drone sightings over European airports is escalating. Some officials have pointed fingers toward state actors, citing possible links to Russia. However, no confirmed attribution has been made in the Munich case. Al Jazeera+2NonStop Local KHQ+2

In response, Germany is considering legislative changes to allow police or military assets to neutralize drones mid-flight under credible threat conditions. Reuters+1

What to Watch Going Forward

Investigation results — Whether any individuals or groups will be identified and held accountable.
Strengthening counter-drone systems — Deployment of radars, jamming, signal intercept, and perhaps laws authorizing shoot-downs.
Policy coordination at EU level — Joint airspace defense, shared drone monitoring frameworks, and standard protocols.
Impact on schedule recovery — How quickly Munich and affected airlines can fully restore their operations without further disruptions.
Traveler confidence — Avoiding long-term reputational damage to Munich as a hub and ensuring aviation safety assurances.

Munich Airport’s swift reopening after the second drone scare in less than 24 hours was a relief, but it exposed vulnerabilities that modern airports cannot afford to ignore. As authorities probe the incidents, the aviation community across Europe will be watching closely for coordinated responses, new security measures, and clarity on who might be behind these dangerous intrusions.