Munich Airport faced major disruption on Thursday night after drones were sighted near the runways, forcing a complete halt to operations just as the Oktoberfest was heading into its final weekend. Around 3,000 passengers were left stranded when flights were grounded, many of them relying on the airport to reach Bavaria for the festival’s closing days.
First sightings near the airport
According to the Bavarian State Police, the first drone sightings were reported around 9:30 p.m. in the surrounding area of Munich Airport. Officers immediately launched an investigation but were unable to identify the devices or their operators.
Drones spotted above the runway
Roughly an hour later, the situation escalated when drones were observed flying directly above the airport grounds. Federal Police spokesman Stefan Bayer confirmed the sightings to German media, noting that even officers on duty saw the objects. Due to the darkness, however, authorities could not determine the size or type of the drones.
Flights grounded, passengers stranded
The response was swift: all takeoffs were suspended from 10:30 p.m. onward. Seventeen departures were canceled, leaving thousands of passengers stuck inside the terminals. Around 3,000 travelers were given snacks, drinks and even camp beds to get through the night.
Meanwhile, 15 incoming flights had to be rerouted to alternative airports including Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna and Frankfurt. The disruption was limited by the fact that Munich Airport already operates on a reduced schedule after 10 p.m. due to local noise protection rules.
Airport resumes operations Friday morning
Munich Airport normally closes entirely between midnight and 5 a.m. to comply with noise restrictions, so the drone alarm coincided with the already reduced night schedule. The Federal Police confirmed that regular air traffic resumed early Friday morning once the airspace was declared safe.
Ongoing investigation, no suspects
Despite deploying ground units and police helicopters, officers were unable to track down either the drones or the individuals controlling them. As of Friday, no suspects have been identified.
The timing added to the disruption, as Munich is currently experiencing a surge in visitors for the Oktoberfest finale. Many international guests had planned to fly in for the last long weekend of the festival, only to face delays and uncertainty caused by the drone incidents.
