Drones Cause Chaos at Munich Airport, Halting Flights

Germany is facing a new challenge to its national security. Following incidents in the north of the country, the appearance of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the south, at Munich Airport, has now caused serious disruptions. On the evening of October 2, after UAVs were spotted in and around the airport area, authorities were forced to temporarily suspend air traffic, causing widespread chaos.

According to the airport operator, the incident resulted in the cancellation of 17 flights, while another 15 were diverted to airports in Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna, and Frankfurt. Around 3,000 passengers were affected by this unexpected situation. The airport management, in cooperation with airlines, had to provide for the needs of those stranded, supplying camp beds, blankets, drinks, and food.

The Federal Police reported that several citizens had alerted them to the presence of a drone near the airport, after which UAVs were also spotted directly above the runways. It is not yet clear whether it was one or several devices. Law enforcement, using a helicopter, cordoned off and searched the area in an attempt to find both the devices and any suspects, but the search has so far been unsuccessful. The airport resumed normal operations on the morning of October 3.

This incident occurs against a backdrop of high tension. In late September, several drones flew over critical infrastructure sites in the state of Schleswig-Holstein. Authorities suspect their purpose was espionage. The drones flew in parallel tracks over a power plant, the Kiel University Clinic, and even the seat of the state government, apparently with the aim of surveying them.

As part of the investigation, German authorities are examining the trail of a suspicious cargo ship. Security services believe that the ship's movements and location data indicate a possible connection to the UAVs. Notably, days after the incidents, the ship entered a Russian port. Similar cases have also been recorded in Scandinavian countries, particularly Denmark and Norway, where airports have also been temporarily closed, and a Russian connection is not ruled out.