Flights have resumed at Germany's Munich airport after unconfirmed drone sightings forced it to suspend operations for the second time in 24 hours.
In a statement on Friday evening, the airport said that flights were stopped at 21:30 local time (20:30 GMT), affecting around 6,500 passengers.
At least 17 flights were also grounded in Munich on Thursday evening due to multiple drone sightings in nearby airspace. This incident reflects a growing trend of drone disruptions impacting aviation across Europe.
On Saturday morning, Munich airport announced that flights had been 'gradually ramped up,' although passengers were warned of potential delays.
Authorities in Belgium previously reported 15 drones detected above the Elsenborn military site near the German border, further heightening concerns as these drones were seen flying from Belgium into German airspace.
Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has pledged to discuss enhanced anti-drone measures during a meeting of European interior ministers, where he will propose legislation allowing police to seek military action against drones.
The recent sightings, which prompted the closure of several airports including Copenhagen and Oslo, have led some European leaders to advocate for a multi-layered approach to drone detection and neutralization, particularly in light of security concerns linked to potential Russian drone activities.
In response to a summit discussion, Dobrindt stated that the increase in airspace incursions necessitates serious attention and that operational protocols must evolve to address these emerging threats.
As the situation continues to unfold, authorities urge all travelers to stay updated on flight statuses to avoid further disruptions.
