Munich’s main airport shut twice on Oct. 19 after drone sightings, drawing a swift response from security and federal police.
Airport Closure
Federal police and airport authorities received several reports of suspicious drone activity on Sunday, 19‑October, leading to a 30‑minute shutdown around 10:00 p.m. Saturday and another 30‑minute pause at 11:00 p.m. The airport reopened before midnight, and traffic resumed normally on Sunday morning.
Impact on Flights and Passengers
Only three flights were affected: two were diverted—one later landed in Munich—and a third was cancelled. Passengers, around 10,000 in total, experienced minor disruptions, with some having to sleep on folding chairs and mats in the terminals.
Investigation and Authorities
Police in Bavaria, assisted by a helicopter, searched the area but found no drones or suspicious individuals and could not determine the cause of the reports. Further investigation will be carried out by Bavarian police. In Germany, civil aviation security is shared between state police, federal police, the German Traffic Control (DTC), airport operators, and state aviation safety authorities.
Drone Incidents in Germany
This is the latest in a series of European Union drone‑related incidents. Earlier in October, Munich Airport—one of Germany’s largest—was shut twice over drone activity, interrupting traffic for about ten thousand passengers.
Public Opinion on Drone Shoot‑down
A recent YouGov survey commissioned by the DPA found that 79 % of Germans support or are willing to support the shoot‑down of illegal drones such as those over airport airspace, while only 6 % oppose it. In response, Bavaria is already drafting legislation on the matter.
