Munich airport reopens after drone sightings disrupt flights

ISTANBUL

Germany's Munich Airport reopened Friday after multiple drone sightings forced air traffic control to suspend all flights the previous night, grounding more than a dozen departures and diverting several incoming flights.

German flag carrier Lufthansa said operations “have since resumed according to schedule.”

The disruption grounded 17 departing flights and led to the diversion of 15 incoming flights to Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna and Frankfurt, affecting nearly 3,000 passengers, it said in a statement.

The airport stressed that traveler safety is the “top priority” when drones are sighted, noting that established reporting chains between air traffic control, the airport and police are in place.

“It is important to emphasize that the detection and defense against drones are sovereign tasks and are the responsibility of the federal and state police,” it said.

The airport, working with airlines, swiftly accommodated passengers in the terminals, providing camp beds, blankets, drinks and snacks.

The incident comes as multiple EU states including Poland, Romania, Estonia and Denmark have recently reported airspace violations, or disruptions by drones. Russia, which has been accused of the violations, denies involvement.