Overview

• Air traffic at Munich’s Franz‑Josef‑Strauss Airport was halted from 22:18 after initial sightings around 21:30, canceling 17 departures, diverting 15 arrivals and affecting about 3,000 passengers.
• Police deployed helicopters but reported no information on the drones’ type, number or origin after multiple sightings over and near the airfield.
• Flight tracking indicated the airfield remained closed until 02:59 GMT, with the airport listing the first arrival at 05:25 and the first departure at 05:50 local time Friday.
• The disruption follows recent drone reports that temporarily shut airports and targeted military sites in Denmark, Norway and Poland, with some European officials pointing to Russia as Moscow denies involvement.
• German officials have signaled plans to let the Bundeswehr shoot down intrusive drones, and EU leaders have discussed stronger collective counter‑drone defenses, including a proposed anti‑drone barrier.