Munich Airport shut twice in 24 hours over drone sightings affecting 6,500 passengers
The recent closures follow mysterious drone overflights in EU member countries, raising security concerns and fears of Russian involvement
Flights resumed “progressively” on Saturday at Munich airport, but delays were expected after a drone scare caused a second shutdown in as many days, affecting more than 6,500 passengers, the operator said.
Airports in Denmark, Norway and Poland have recently suspended flights due to unidentified drones, while Romania and Estonia have pointed the finger at Russia, which has brushed off the allegations.
Munich airport said that on Friday “from 9.30pm air traffic was restricted and then cancelled due to drone sightings”, meaning 23 incoming flights were diverted and 12 bound for Munich were cancelled.
Forty-six departures from the airport had to be cancelled or delayed until Saturday, with a total of 6,500 passengers affected.
A police spokesman said that there were “two simultaneous confirmed drone sightings by police patrols just before 11pm around the north and south runways”.
“The drones immediately moved away, before they could be identified,” he added.