Munich, October 3 — Munich Airport, one of Europe’s busiest aviation hubs, suspended all flight operations late Thursday evening following reports of unauthorized drones spotted near the facility, leading to the cancellation of 17 flights and disruptions for nearly 3,000 passengers. The closure, which began around 10:30 p.m. local time (3:00 AM IST, October 3, 2025), comes amid a surge in mysterious drone incursions across Germany and Europe, raising security concerns over potential espionage or sabotage, according to details received by The Chenab Times.
The first drones were reported at approximately 9:30 p.m. local time (2:00 AM IST) by airport staff and nearby witnesses, who alerted Bavarian police, as reported by BILD. Initial investigations failed to locate the unmanned aerial vehicles or their operators, prompting a full suspension of runway activities as a precaution to ensure aviation safety, according to a statement from Munich Airport officials cited by Reuters. Ground crews, federal police and helicopters were deployed to scan the airspace, but the drones’ origins remain unidentified, with no claims of responsibility issued, as per Deutsche Welle.
A federal police spokesperson confirmed the shutdown to BILD, stating the measures were necessary due to the proximity of the drones to active flight paths. Airport authorities have not specified a resumption timeline, with operations potentially resuming Friday morning pending clearance, though delays and diversions are expected to persist into the weekend, according to The Local Germany. This incident coincides with the peak of Oktoberfest, the annual beer festival drawing over 6 million visitors, exacerbating travel chaos for incoming tourists, as noted by AP News.
The event fits a pattern of unexplained drone activity plaguing European infrastructure. On September 25, multiple drones were sighted over a power plant, university hospital and shipyard in Schleswig-Holstein, prompting espionage probes by German authorities, according to Reuters. Similar disruptions closed Copenhagen and Oslo airports on September 22, with further sightings near Danish military bases in Aalborg and Billund, as reported by The Guardian. Reports also emerged in Sweden’s Karlskrona archipelago and Norway’s Bronnoysund Airport, fueling speculation of coordinated foreign interference, possibly linked to Russia amid NATO tensions, according to BBC News.
Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius acknowledged the nation’s lag in drone defense capabilities, with the Bundeswehr ordering 19 Skyranger anti-drone systems from Rheinmetall, not due until 2027, as cited by DW News. CDU security expert Roderich Kiesewetter called for a state of emergency to bolster protections at civilian sites like airports, arguing private operators cannot shoulder the burden alone, according to Tagesschau. Meanwhile, AI firms like Munich-based Helsing are ramping up production of combat drones for Ukraine, highlighting Europe’s push to catch up in aerial threats, as reported by Financial Times.
Passengers at Munich Airport were advised to check with airlines for updates, with some flights diverted to nearby hubs like Nuremberg or Frankfurt, according to Euronews. The airport’s official website urged travelers to monitor live timetables, as restoration efforts continue under heightened security, with updates expected as investigations progress.
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