Flight operations have been suspended at Munich airport after multiple drone sightings.
The first incident occurred on the evening of October 2, when several drones were sighted in the vicinity of and on the grounds of Munich Airport. The first reports were received at around 8:30 p.m. Initially, areas around the airport, including Freising and Erding, were affected.
The state police immediately launched extensive search operations with a large number of officers in the vicinity of the airport. At the same time, the federal police carried out surveillance and search operations on the airport grounds. However, no perpetrators were identified.
Later that evening, at around 9:05 p.m., drones were reported near the airport fence. At around 10:10 p.m., the first sighting was made on the airport grounds. As a result, flight operations were gradually suspended at 10:18 p.m. for safety reasons. The preventive closure affected both runways from 10:35 p.m. onwards.
The sightings ended around midnight. According to the airport operator, there were 17 flight cancellations and 15 diversions by that time. Helicopters from the federal police and the Bavarian state police were also deployed to monitor the airspace and conduct searches.
The following evening, October 3, German air traffic control again restricted and ultimately suspended flight operations at Munich Airport at around 9:30 p.m. due to drone sightings.
This resulted in 23 arriving flights having to be diverted, and 12 flights to Munich were cancelled. 46 departures could not take place as planned and were cancelled or postponed until 4 October. Around 6,500 passengers were affected.
Due to drone sightings in the early hours of the morning, the start of flight operations on October 4 was again delayed. Flight operations were gradually ramped up through the day but the airport has informed passengers that delays are to be expected throughout the day.
Meanwhile, Radio Prague reports that Czech police launched a major security operation at Václav Havel Airport on the evening of October 3 after an anonymous call warned of incoming drones. Officials stressed the threat is unverified but counter-drone defences were deployed along with a police helicopter.
Radio Prague said that the caller spoke in English and mentioned a large number of drones.
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Image: Munich Airport
