Multiple drone sightings over Munich international airport on Thursday evening compelled aviation authorities to suspend operations, leading to the termination of seventeen flights and disrupting travel for almost three thousand travelers in the German city.
An additional fifteen inbound flights were rerouted to Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna and Frankfurt, the airport authorities stated in a statement, representing the latest UAV interference to Europe's air travel after comparable incidents briefly closed airports in Denmark and Norway last week.
German aviation regulators restricted flight operations at Munich airport from late Thursday evening and later halted them completely due to several UAV appearances, the airport added.
Metropolis Previously On Edge Following Recent Safety Incidents
The city was already tense this week after its popular beer festival was briefly shut down due to a explosive warning and the discovery of explosives in a residential building in the north of the city.
EU Officials Address Growing UAV Threat
Danish authorities has avoided saying who it thinks is responsible for the occurrences in its airspace recently, which disrupted flight operations at multiple airports, but Denmark's leader Mette Frederiksen has implied it might be Russia.
Frederiksen said Europe was in its "most difficult and dangerous situation" since the conclusion of the second world war, as she hosted European union leaders for discussions on supporting Ukraine and firming up European security initiatives designed to guarantee the region is prepared to prevent invaders by 2030.
During the summit, officials supported proposals to bolster the union's defences against Russian drones.
Defense Reaction Strengthens
On Sunday a German naval vessel, FSG Hamburg, arrived in Copenhagen to assist in "enhancing Denmark's airspace surveillance" during the meetings, Denmark's military announced.
The frigate is a component of Nato's "Baltic Watch" operation, which the alliance stated this weekend it planned to reinforce. A Nato spokesperson commented there would be "heightened alertness" in the Baltic area, including Denmark.
Moscow Rejections and International Tensions
Russian leader Putin remarked humorously on Thursday that he would not operate UAVs over Denmark any more, but Moscow has denied responsibility for the events.
- Air travel operations suspended at Munich Airport
- Seventeen flights called off, 15 rerouted
- Nearly three thousand passengers impacted
- Most recent in sequence of European drone interferences
- Security measures increased across EU skies
