Munich Airport Closed Again After Suspected Drone Sightings Over EU Airspace

Munich Airport was forced to halt operations late Friday for the second time in 24 hours after suspected drone activity was reported in its airspace, officials said.

The airport suspended all flights “as a precautionary measure due to unconfirmed sightings,” according to a statement. The move came just a day after flights were stopped Thursday night, stranding nearly 3,000 passengers and diverting 15 arrivals to other airports in Germany and Austria.

Authorities have not identified who may be behind the overflights. Federal police said they were investigating and deployed helicopters after witnesses—including police, airline staff, and travelers—reported drones near the airport, but none were located. Hundreds of passengers were forced to spend the night in terminals or hotels.

The incidents add to a wave of mysterious drone sightings across Europe. Belgium’s defense minister confirmed multiple drones were spotted overnight above a military base near the German border, while Norway and Denmark have also reported unexplained incursions in recent weeks. European officials have raised concerns about possible Russian involvement, though experts caution that “anybody with a drone” could be responsible.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt called the situation “a race between drone threat and drone defense,” vowing to discuss a continent-wide response with European counterparts this weekend.

The disruptions come as EU leaders have pledged to tighten airspace protections following repeated drone incidents at airports and critical sites.

Separately, French authorities released a Russia-linked oil tanker suspected of being tied to earlier drone incursions over Denmark after a search by naval commandos found no evidence of drones on board.