Following two nights of major disruptions at Munich Airport, a political debate has erupted over whether the city should partially lift its strict night flight ban in emergencies.
The incidents — caused by drone sightings near the airport on October 2 and 3 — left thousands of passengers stranded overnight, with flights grounded and terminals filled with exhausted travelers sleeping on camp beds.
Drone sightings cause chaos – flights grounded for hours
Operations at Munich Airport, Germany’s second-largest aviation hub, came to a standstill after drones were detected in restricted airspace close to the runways.
Authorities immediately suspended all take-offs and landings for safety reasons.
The result:
- Dozens of flights cancelled or diverted,
- Massive delays lasting into the early morning, and
- Passengers forced to stay overnight in terminal buildings, with many accommodated on field beds provided by airport staff.
The Federal Police and aviation safety authorities launched investigations, but the operators of the drones have not yet been identified.
Political call to review night flight restrictions
The FDP/Bavarian Party faction in Munich’s city council has now called for a temporary relaxation of the night flight ban in cases of “force majeure” — that is, unforeseen events such as terror threats, drone activity, or other external security risks.
The proposal aims to allow limited operations beyond the usual curfew to clear backlogs of delayed flights and prevent passengers from being stranded again.
In a formal motion, the party group wrote that this exception should apply “only in absolute emergencies, to ensure an orderly resolution of flight delays when operations have been suspended for unforeseeable safety reasons.”
The faction emphasized that noise protection for local residents remains a priority but argued that the current rigid rules “block effective crisis management” during exceptional situations.
“Passenger protection must come first”
According to supporters of the proposal, the events in early October highlighted a major gap in crisis response at Munich Airport.
If flights are grounded late in the evening, the night flight curfew — which typically prohibits take-offs and landings between midnight and 5 a.m. — prevents airlines from resuming normal schedules until the next morning.
This, they argue, not only causes massive financial losses for airlines but also damages Munich Airport’s international reputation and puts passengers at risk of being stranded without accommodation or transport.
City and state to examine the proposal
Munich’s Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) has been asked to discuss the matter with airport management and the Bavarian State Ministry of Transport to determine whether an exception clause could be legally introduced.
Such a rule would not remove the night flight ban entirely but could allow for targeted exemptions in case of extraordinary safety-related shutdowns.
Balancing safety, sleep, and flexibility
Munich Airport’s night curfew has long been a sensitive issue, balancing the needs of residents, airlines, and travelers.
While nearby communities value the peace ensured by the ban, aviation experts warn that the increasing frequency of drone-related disruptions may require more flexible crisis management protocols.
Whether the proposal gains political traction remains to be seen — but one thing is clear: as drone activity continues to disrupt European airports, Munich may become a test case for how Germany balances public safety and passenger rights.
