In brief
Germany's Munich airport has canceled 17 flights and diverted several others after drones were detected nearby. This incident has impacted nearly 3,000 passengers, as authorities scramble to determine the source and size of the drones. The closures come at a busy time, as the city hosts Oktoberfest, leading to thousands being stranded at the airport.
Germany's Munich airport has cancelled more than a dozen flights after drones were seen close to its airspace. At least 17 flights were grounded in Munich, affecting nearly 3,000 passengers. The airport also diverted a further 15 flights to nearby cities. There was no immediate confirmation of the origin of the drones, but recent sightings have caused concern across multiple European airports.Authorities were alerted after the drones were detected, prompting flights out of Munich to be suspended. Redirected flights included those destined for Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna, and Frankfurt.The drones were first spotted at 21:30 local time and again an hour later. Federal Police spokesperson Stefan Bayer stated that due to darkness, details on the drones’ type or size remain unclear.The Munich airport has set up camp beds and provided blankets, drinks, and snacks for affected passengers overnight. With the Oktoberfest festival ongoing, which attracts millions of visitors each year, the disruptions come at a particularly busy time. However, despite the chaos, there is no evidence of malicious intent behind the sightings. "image_caption": "Munich Airport said nearly 3,000 passengers were impacted by flight cancellations so far."
