MUNICHEN (AP) — Munich airport was temporarily shut down after multiple drones were spotted in the vicinity, sparking yet another drone-related concern within the European Union, officials reported.
Germany’s air traffic control imposed restrictions shortly after 10 PM on Thursday, ultimately halting all flights, as stated by the airport operator. One flight, Flight 17, couldn’t take off, delaying around 3,000 passengers. Flight 15 had to reroute to three other German airports and Vienna, Austria.
Stefan Bayer, a representative for the German Federal Police at Munich Airport, noted that the airport reopened around 5 AM (0300 GMT). However, officials did not have immediate information on who was operating the drones.
In an early Friday statement, the airport indicated there had been “several drone sightings,” but did not provide further details. Bayer mentioned it’s unclear how many drones were actually involved and that police, airline staff, and frequent travelers around the airport reported the sightings.
Following the runway closure, federal police mobilized helicopters and other resources to locate the drones, but nothing was found, Bayer reported.
Many passengers affected by the disruption spent the night on cots in the terminals or were taken to nearby hotels where they received snacks and drinks, according to the German news agency DPA.
This incident adds to a list of mysterious drone sightings around key EU infrastructure, mirroring a similar occurrence in Oslo, Norway, last month that interfered with flights.
It’s still unclear who was behind these incidents, but European officials have raised suspicions that Russia might be involved. Russian authorities, however, have denied any connection to the recent drone incident in Denmark.
Last month, officials from Russia and its close ally Belarus confirmed that some drones used during the conflict in Ukraine had crossed into Poland, prompting alerts from Poland and its NATO allies.
The issue of unauthorized drone flights was a key topic at the recent EU and European leaders summit held in Copenhagen, where officials pledged to enhance measures against drone threats.
In a related note, a Russian-linked oil tanker, previously detained by French authorities for potential involvement in a drone incident in Denmark, resumed its journey at sea on Friday.
A thorough inspection by the French Navy found no evidence of drones or launchers on board the vessel. Ship tracking resources indicated that the tanker was headed southwest from the French Atlantic coast, where it had been held, and appeared to be making its way toward the Suez Canal.
French authorities stated that the tanker’s captain would face trial in February for allegedly failing to cooperate when officials seized and boarded the ship.
A survey conducted by the French Navy determined that the ship, traveling from Russia to India with a “large oil cargo,” did not encounter any legal issues from French prosecutor Stephen Kellenberger.
With multiple name changes, the tanker is currently identified as “Pushpa” or “Boracay.” Its route from the Russian oil terminal traversed past the Danish coastline.
