Drone Disruption at Munich Airport on German Reunification Day
Friday marked German Reunification Day, a public holiday, but it was also a day of disruption for Munich airport. The airport reopened after being shut overnight due to drone sightings, adding to a tense week for the city following a bomb threat at Oktoberfest and the discovery of explosives in a residential building. The incident is the latest in a string of drone incidents that have rattled European aviation.
Dozens of flights were cancelled or diverted due to the drone sightings, affecting nearly 3,000 passengers. The drones were sighted late on Thursday evening, with their size and types undetermined due to darkness. This disruption comes as the European Commission plans to establish a drone defense system along NATO's eastern flank to prevent airspace violations, specifically targeting threats from Russia. EU leaders backed plans to bolster the bloc's defenses with anti-drone measures at a summit in Copenhagen. NATO and its Allied Command Transformation are also involved in a defensive operation called 'Eastern Sentry' to reinforce the eastern border from the North Cape to the Black Sea, including improvements in drone defense. Additionally, a legislative proposal aims to allow operators of critical infrastructure to shoot down drones as a security measure. Airports in Denmark and Norway were also temporarily shut down due to airspace intrusions last week, with some European officials suggesting Russia is behind these incidents, although Russia denies responsibility.
The Munich airport disruption highlights the growing concern over drone threats to European aviation and critical infrastructure. With plans to bolster EU defenses against drone attacks and improve airspace security, officials hope to prevent such incidents in the future. The impact on passengers and operations has been significant, with thousands of people affected by flight cancellations and diversions.
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