Munich Airport Reopens After Drone Alert Forces Flight Cancellations, Diversions Across Europe

Flights at Germany’s Munich Airport were suspended overnight after multiple drone sightings forced a total shutdown, cancelling 17 flights and diverting 15 others to Vienna, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Nuremberg. Nearly 3,000 passengers were left stranded, with camp beds, blankets, and food provided until services resumed early Friday morning. The suspension began Thursday evening at 10:18 pm local time after air traffic controllers confirmed drone activity above the airport. The airport reopened at 5:25 am Friday, when a flight from Bangkok became the first to land. The drone scare comes just days after Oktoberfest was abruptly closed following a bomb threat and explosives discovery in Munich, heightening security concerns across Germany. Authorities are investigating, but the size and type of drones could not be identified in the dark. Drone disruptions have recently affected major European airports in Denmark, Norway, Oslo, and Copenhagen. EU leaders, alarmed by the repeated incidents, have pledged to strengthen defenses against suspected Russian drone activity. Moscow, however, has denied any involvement. The incident has raised new fears over the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in Europe, as drone-related disruptions increasingly threaten passenger safety and travel stability across the continent.