Drone blocks Munich airport: chaos on Unity Day and Oktoberfest!

Drone blocks Munich airport: chaos on Unity Day and Oktoberfest!

Munich Airport has ceased operations today, October 4, 2025, for the second time in a row. The reason for this was unidentified drone sightings, which had a massive impact on air traffic. Over 6,000 passengers and numerous flights were affected by these disruptions, which began on Friday evening at 9:30 p.m. A total of 46 departures were canceled or delayed through Saturday, affecting around 6,500 travelers. Particularly bitter: The first reports about drones came on Thursday evening at 8:30 p.m. and led to more than 30 flight cancellations and almost 3,000 stranded passengers.

Police confirmed two more drone sightings on Friday evening that occurred over the northern and southern runways. However, these sinister drones disappeared before they could be identified. To help affected passengers, the airport provided emergency supplies such as cots, blankets and snacks. The flights were stopped at 10:18 p.m. on Thursday evening and the German police are still under pressure to resolve the incident.

Security situation in Europe in focus

The incidents at Munich airport come amid growing concerns about possible threats from Russia. In a context that is becoming increasingly tense, the CBS news agency has noted that several drones have also been spotted over a military base in Belgium. The Belgian defense authorities are currently investigating these sightings, while in Germany 15 different drones have been identified in the Düren area, just 32 kilometers from the border with Belgium. The whole thing comes as Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and other European leaders were gathered in Copenhagen to discuss NATO's security measures.

The concerns about drone flights are not unfounded. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt described the incident as a “wake-up call” regarding the impending dangers posed by unmanned aircraft and called for more investment in research to defend against such technologies. In view of the current geopolitical tensions, Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder also stated that the police must immediately neutralize drones.

Reactions to the incidents

While Lufthansa announced the return to normal flight operations and apologized for the inconvenience, the question remains: What security risk does the drone sightings really pose? Even though Russia denies any responsibility for the incidents and emphasizes that the European hysteria only serves to justify military spending, uncertainty remains high in European capitals.

The unrest at Munich Airport also coincides with German Unity Day and the finale of Oktoberfest, which makes the situation even more dramatic for travelers. The federal government plans to change laws to potentially allow legitimate firing against drones. In the meantime, it is even more important that everyone involved works together to ensure safety in the air and on the ground.