Runways at Germany’s Munich airport closed again after drone sightings
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Drones were spotted again at Munich International Airport for the second time in less than 24 hours.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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- Munich airport runways closed again on October 3 due to unconfirmed drone sightings, disrupting flights and stranding passengers.
- Police helicopters were deployed, and flights were diverted as a precaution; this followed an earlier closure for similar reasons.
- Legislation is planned to allow police to request military assistance to shoot down drones amid increasing disruptions.
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MUNICH - Both runways at Munich airport were closed on the evening of Oct 3 for the second time in less than 24 hours after drones were again sighted, leading to dozens of flights being diverted or cancelled and stranding some 6,500 passengers, the authorities said.
Early on the morning of Oct 4, the airport said its scheduled 5am opening had been delayed due to drone sightings, advising passengers to contact their airlines.
“German air traffic control restricted flight operations at Munich Airport as a precautionary measure due to unconfirmed drone sightings and suspended them until further notice,” a statement on the airport website read.
In a later update, the airport said 23 flights were diverted, 12 flights to Munich and 48 departures cancelled or postponed.
“As on the previous night, the airport and airlines took care of the passengers,” it added. “Camp beds, blankets, drinks and snacks were handed out.”
The previous evening, the captain on a London-bound aircraft whose departure was cancelled told passengers that runways had been closed “because of drone sightings near the take-off and landing runways” and that police helicopters were aloft.
The airport website showed due arrivals had been diverted starting at 8.35pm local time.
Munich airport was closed for several hours late on Oct 2 and in the small hours after unconfirmed drone sightings
European aviation has repeatedly been thrown into chaos in recent weeks by drone sightings that some authorities have blamed on Russia.
The Kremlin has denied any involvement.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt promised earlier on Oct 3 to bring forward legislation making it easier for the police to ask the military to shoot drones down. REUTERS
