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Drone chaos at Munich Airport: Oktoberfest visitors affected!
Munich Airport closed due to drone sightings: Around 20 flights affected while Oktoberfest visitors arrive.
Drone chaos at Munich Airport: Oktoberfest visitors affected!
An unexpected scenario unfolded at Munich Airport: On Thursday evening, October 3, 2025, the airport was closed at around 9:30 p.m. due to sightings of drones in the area. During the Oktoberfest season, when large numbers of visitors arrive, this meant an unpleasant interruption to the plans of many travelers. According to Bild, the state police and the federal police have so far been unable to identify either the drones or their operators.
About an hour after the first sighting, drones were spotted over the airport itself, confirmed federal police spokesman Stefan Bayer. However, due to the darkness, it remained unclear what type and size of drones they were. At 10:30 p.m., airport operators closed both runways, resulting in a halt to all takeoffs and landings. Around 20 flights were affected, and ongoing flight movements were already restricted from 10 p.m. to midnight to protect residents' sleep at night. From midnight the airport is closed as usual for noise protection reasons.
Increased security precautions
The situation also brought the federal police onto the scene. It takes the threat posed by drones very seriously, especially given incidents at airports in Scandinavia where such unmanned aircraft have caused similar disruption. The exact measures to avert danger are not disclosed in detail for tactical reasons, but it is known that the Federal Police uses various systems to defend against drones. The danger situation is constantly monitored in order to ensure air traffic at all times and to avoid interruptions, as T-Online reports.
In addition, according to the German Airport Association, the last few months have been marked by a worrying increase in illegal drone sightings at German airports. This year alone, over 140 sightings have been reported. The airports are demanding clear responsibilities and government funding of modern defense systems, because without the support of federal and state police they cannot adequately assess or deal with drone threats. A collision between a passenger plane and a drone could have catastrophic consequences, which is why everyone needs to pull together.
Outlook for restoring operations
What will happen next for Munich Airport remains to be seen. It is currently unclear whether operations can resume regularly from 5 a.m. on Friday, but no cancellations are visible on the airport website. The situation will remain tense in the coming days, especially since Oktoberfest still attracts many visitors and the airport plays a central role in travel.
The safety of all travelers and employees is our top priority and authorities are working hand in hand to find solutions to this challenging situation as quickly as possible. However, as long as the threat from drones continues, restrictions on flight operations could be the order of the day.