German air traffic control said it suspended flight operations at Munich Airport Thursday evening after several drone sightings, affecting multiple departures and thousands of passengers at the country’s second-biggest hub.
Seventeen departures were grounded, and 15 incoming flights were diverted to Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna and Frankfurt, according to an . Passenger safety is the top priority, and detection and defense against drones remain sovereign tasks, officials said in the statement.
The Munich disruption follows recent drone incidents across Europe that forced temporary closures and large-scale diversions at major hubs, including Copenhagen and Oslo, and prompted officials to warn of sophisticated operators and broader security implications. A spate of aerial incursions has sparked talks in the European Union around building a “.”
Flight operations at Munich were initially restricted, and later suspended altogether after the drone sightings, according to the statement. The airport, together with airlines, cared for nearly 3,000 passengers in the terminals, setting up camp beds and providing blankets, drinks and snacks.
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Topics Aviation
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