Munich: After drone alarm, these central points are still open

Two days after the first drone incidents at the airport in Munich, there are still many questions open: Where did the flying objects come from and who is behind it? Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) specified his plans for better drone defense in the afternoon, but did not share a new level of investigation into the sightings in Bavaria.

At the airport in Munich, drones were spotted on Thursday and Friday in the evening, then flight operations were then temporarily stopped. Several flights were redirected or deleted. Around 6,500 travelers were affected, as the airport announced. Some had to spend the night in the airport.

At the request of the Bavarian Ministry of the Interior, the Bundeswehr is now providing administrative assistance in monitoring the airport, as a spokeswoman for the operational management command of the German Press Agency said.

Flight operations started again on Saturday. However, the airport assumed further delays. “There will be delays in the operating process all day.” In the afternoon it was said that flight operations had been gradually opened again and had stabilized again. Of the more than 1000 starts and landings planned on Saturday, the airlines would have canceled around 170 flights during the day for surgical reasons.

Stranded passengers would continue to be cared for on site. “These activities will continue on Saturday evening and on Sunday night. Numerous field beds are again set up, as well as ceilings, air mattresses, drinks and snacks.” In addition, some shops, a pharmacy and gastronomic facilities would extend their opening hours and be open all night.

The federal police spoke of two drone sightings in the area of ​​the North and South Railway. Federal police officers had seen them shortly before 11 p.m. on Friday. “The drones removed immediately before they could be identified,” said a spokesman.

On Saturday morning shortly after 3:00 a.m., according to the federal police, there was another indication of a drone sighting. However, a spokesman did not want to express himself in concrete terms whether there was actually a drone in the airport in the air or whether it might be a false alarm.

Drones of unknown origin had already disturbed flight operations on the second largest German airport on Thursday evening and on Friday night. Numerous flights failed or had to be redirected at neighboring airports such as Nuremberg or Stuttgart. Around 3000 passengers were affected.

Meanwhile, the political discussion about the correct handling of drone flights continues. NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) also did not rule out free riders. “I am sure: not every drone controls the Kremlin – but every single plays (President Vladimir) Putin in the cards,” said Reul. “If you lightly let a drone rise, you should be aware of it.” However, he called for prudence: “Spreading uncertainty is exactly the goal that Russia is pursuing with such actions.”

In the afternoon, Federal Minister of the Interior Dobrindt spoke about his plans for a better defense against drone. A change in the Basic Law is not necessary so that the Bundeswehr can provide administrative assistance as planned, said the CSU politician in Munich at a meeting with European counterparts.

Dobrindt wants to create a joint drone defense center. “Today we already have skills, both in the federal police, at customs, at BKA, in the state authorities. We want to significantly expand these skills and we want to ensure that communication between the countries and the federal government and the analysis ability becomes stronger,” said the minister. He spoke of a “arms race” between the drone threat and defense.

Depending on the type of drone, the Bundeswehr may need to be necessary, said Dobrindt – in any case, this should not be excluded. “That is why you have to create the legal framework for doing it.”

For example, drones that flexed at tree tops could be disturbed, for example, the police could, said Dobrindt. “But we also have drones at very high heights.” You can also imagine military drones how you have already seen in other countries like Poland.

However, Dobrindt also emphasized that not every drone was a threat: “Even if it is initiated and controlled by foreign powers, it is part of a targeted provocation, not automatically a threat.”

According to German air traffic control, disorders with drones at the airports have increased significantly. A week ago, the company announced that 144 disabilities by drones had already been registered by the end of August 2025. In the previous year it was 113 events nationwide in the same period, only 99 in 2023.