Germany’s Munich airport reopened Saturday morning after it was abruptly shut down for the second time in less than 24 hours over drone sightings – as fears heighten that Russia’s war in Ukraine could soon spread to other parts of Europe.
Air traffic control first suspended operations late Thursday night, canceling 17 flights and disrupting travel for nearly 3,000 passengers, who were given camp beds, blankets and food to pass the night.
“Our police must get the power to shoot drones down,” Markus Soeder, premier of Bavaria, wrote on X Thursday, promising to pass emergency legislation to secure German airspace.
Inflatable mattresses were handed out to thousands of stranded passengers at Munich airport. AFP via Getty Images
Passengers were forced to spend the night at Munich airport after drone sightings led to the airspace’s closure. REUTERS“We need sovereignty over our airspace.”
Operations resumed Friday morning, but a few hours later, multiple drone sightings led to dozens more flights being cancelled or rerouted. For a second night, camp beds were handed out.
The incidents stranded some 6,500 passengers at Munich airport, authorities said.
After both runways were closed, flights began gradually resuming Saturday morning, with delays expected throughout the day.
The incidents stranded some 6,500 passengers at Munich airport, authorities said. REUTERS
Drones are forbidden to fly over Munich — and all other — airports. APAlthough German intelligence has yet to confirm the drone sightings as Russian, these are the latest in a series of Kremlin-suspected incidents that have rattled Europe.
Just last week, drone sightings caused airports in Denmark and Norway to quickly close, with intelligence assessing that Russia was behind the incidents — conducting hybrid warfare against the West.
“Russia is using military means, including in an aggressive way, to put pressure on us without crossing the line into armed conflict in a traditional sense,” said Thomas Ahrenkiel, head of Denmark’s military intelligence service.
Putin mocked European concerns over the drone sightings, joking he wouldn’t do it anymore. APMeanwhile, Russian strongman Vladimir Putin recently mocked the rising trepidation among European countries, likening it to hysteria over UFO sightings — even joking that he would stop.
He was asked by a moderator at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi “Why have you sent so many drones to Denmark?”
“I won’t do it anymore,” Putin replied laughing, according to the Kyiv Independent. “Not to France, not to Denmark, not to Copenhagen.”
With Post wires.
