Munich Airport Resumes Operations Following Drone Disruption Amid Rising European Security Concerns

Germany's Munich airport returned to normal operations on Friday following an overnight shutdown caused by drone sightings that resulted in numerous flight cancellations and diversions. The incident occurred just before a national holiday, raising further concerns about infrastructure vulnerability across Europe.

Early Friday morning operations resumed smoothly, with a Reuters witness observing passengers checking in for a flight to Varna, Bulgaria. The departure board showed minimal cancellations, and according to the airport's website, a flight from Bangkok successfully landed at approximately 5:25 a.m. (0325 GMT), marking the day's first arrival.

Airport authorities reported that multiple drone sightings on Thursday evening had forced air traffic control to suspend all operations. This resulted in 17 flight cancellations and affected nearly 3,000 passengers, who were provided with camp beds, blankets, and food during the disruption.

An additional 15 incoming flights had to be diverted to alternative airports including Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna, and Frankfurt, as confirmed by airport officials.

A police spokesman told the newspaper Bild that drones were spotted hovering above the airport during late evening hours. Due to darkness, authorities were unable to determine the size or types of the drones. Police did not immediately respond when Reuters requested further comment on the situation.

The Munich incident is part of a concerning pattern of similar drone disruptions affecting European aviation recently, including temporary airspace closures at airports in Denmark and Norway just last week, which have collectively heightened security concerns.

These incidents prompted European Union leaders to take decisive action during their summit in Copenhagen on Wednesday, where they endorsed plans to strengthen the bloc's defenses with anti-drone measures.

"Europe must be able to defend itself," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized following the meeting.

While authorities have not publicly attributed the Munich drone incident to any specific actor, some European officials have suggested Russian involvement in other recent airspace violations.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on Wednesday, "Russia tries to test us. But Russia also tries to sow division and anxiety in our societies."

Russian President Vladimir Putin made light of the situation on Thursday, joking that he would cease flying drones over Denmark, though Moscow has officially denied any responsibility for these incidents.

The airport disruption added to an already tense week for Munich, which had seen its famous Oktoberfest temporarily closed due to a bomb threat, alongside the separate discovery of explosives in a residential building in the northern part of the city.