Munich Airport resumes flights after repeated drone sightings disrupt travel

Email:online@newsofbahrain.com

Munich:  Munich Airport gradually resumed operations on Saturday after repeated drone sightings forced authorities to shut both runways twice within 24 hours, causing major travel disruption and stranding thousands of passengers.

Dozens of flights were cancelled, delayed or diverted during the closures, affecting around 6,500 travellers. Airport officials warned that delays were likely to continue throughout the day as operations returned to normal.

The latest shutdown followed reports of drones near take-off and landing areas on Friday evening. Similar sightings had already disrupted flights the previous night, prompting authorities to suspend air traffic as a precaution.

Airport and airline staff provided stranded passengers with temporary accommodation, blankets, food and drinks while waiting for services to resume.

The incidents come amid growing concern over a series of drone sightings that have disrupted aviation across Europe in recent weeks. While some officials have suggested Russia could be linked to certain cases, authorities have not identified who was responsible for the sightings in Munich. The Kremlin has denied any involvement.

The disruptions have also intensified calls for stronger counter-drone measures. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the government would move forward with legislation aimed at making it easier for police to seek military assistance in shooting down suspicious drones.

Pic Credit: AFP