Drone Terror At Munich Airport Investigated, Russia Remains Europe's Black Goat

UNSPLASH/David Syphers ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Last night's drone sighting at Munich airport, M\"unchen, Germany, led to the cancellation and diversion of dozens of flights ahead of the national holiday.

Operational closures caused nearly 3,000 passengers to be abandoned. Authorities said on Friday, October 3 they were investigating the incident.

The disruption is the latest in a series of similar incidents that have rocked the world of European aviation, raising concerns about a hybrid strike that could be denied against Ukrainian allies in Europe, possibly directed by Russia.

When airport operations returned to normal on Friday morning, a Reuters witness saw passengers checking-in for flights to Varna in Bulgaria, and departure boards showed only a few flights were canceled.

The flight from Bangkok was the first flight to land at around 05.25 local time, according to the airport's website.

The airport said several sightings of unmanned aircraft on Thursday night had forced air traffic control to suspend operations, resulting in the cancellation of 17 flights and disrupting a journey of nearly 3,000 passengers.

Passengers are then provided with beds, blankets, and food. A total of 15 other flights that arrived were diverted to the area.

BR's public broadcaster said local and national police were investigating the incident.

The drones were seen late at night above the airport, a police spokesman told the Bild newspaper. However, as it was already dark, the size and type of drone was uncertain, he added. The police did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.

Munich Airport reopened after drone sightings stopped flights.

The drone incident follows an intrusion of airspace last week that led to the temporary closure of airports in Denmark and Norway.

This prompted EU leaders at the Copenhagen summit to support plans to strengthen the bloc's defenses with unmanned anti-aircraft measures.

"Europe must be able to defend itself," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said after the meeting. His defense minister spoke on Friday morning about Russia's "hybrid war" against NATO and the West.

Authorities have not publicly blamed anyone for the drone incident in Munich, but some European officials suspect Russia was behind other airspace breaches recently.

"Russia is trying to test us. However, Russia is also trying to spread divisions and anxiety in our society," said European Commission Chair Ursula von der Leyen.

Russian President Vladimir Putin joked on Thursday that he would not fly drones over Denmark anymore, but Moscow denied responsibility for the incident.

Disruption at Munich airport added to the city's tension after the popular Octoberfest was temporarily closed due to the threat of bombs and the discovery of explosives in a residential building north of the city.