Overview

• Germany’s carriers, led by BDF president Peter Gerber, say drones that threaten airport operations must be stoppable and, if necessary, shot down, with responsibilities clearly defined.
• Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt plans a dedicated Bundespolizei drone unit by year-end and a joint federal–state drone-defense center slated to start operating in 2025.
• Bavaria has approved a law empowering police to destroy unidentified drones when public safety requires it.
• Detection gaps persist as Deutsche Flugsicherung lacks systems to track small drones, while industry providers such as Dedrone say their sensors can identify most devices but are not deployed nationwide.
• Operations have been disrupted repeatedly, including a shutdown in Munich that stranded more than 9,600 passengers over two days, and suspected foreign involvement remains unproven.