Germany's Munich airport has cancelled more than a dozen flights after drones were seen close to its airspace. At least 17 flights were grounded, affecting nearly 3,000 passengers. Additionally, the airport diverted 15 further flights to nearby cities.
There was no immediate confirmation of where the drones had come from, but several airports across Europe have faced similar closures recently due to unidentified drone activity.
Munich airport alerted authorities after detecting the drones. Flights out of the airport have been suspended, while air traffic control redirected arriving flights to Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna, and Frankfurt. No details about the drones' type, size, or origins were verified, as they were first sighted at 21:30 local time, with another sighting an hour later.
In response to the disruptions, camp beds, blankets, drinks, and snacks were provided to stranded passengers at the airport. This event comes just as Munich hosts the annual Oktoberfest, an event that usually attracts over six million visitors each year.
Authorities across the European Union are increasingly concerned about drone sightings. The issue has led to serious discussions, including a leaders' summit earlier this week in Copenhagen, addressing drone threats and safety in aviation.
