Munich Airport Ceases Flights for Second Time in 24 Hours Due to Reported Unmanned Aircraft Incidents
Germany's Bavarian airport has halted flights for the another instance in 24 hours, following more unconfirmed drone observations.
In a announcement on Friday night, the facility reported that operations were halted at 9:30 PM local (20:30 GMT), impacting approximately thousands of travelers.
At least multiple planes were also canceled in Munich on the previous evening due to several drone reports in adjacent airspace.
It's the latest in a sequence of events related to UAVs that have affected air travel in Europe in recent weeks.
EU Agencies Investigate UAV Sightings
Authorities in the Belgian region on Thursday were also probing observations of multiple UAVs, which were spotted above the military installation close to the border with Germany.
Post-incident, the aircraft reportedly flew from that nation to the neighboring country, where they were also observed by law enforcement in the small German town of the Düren area.
Officials have been unsuccessful to pinpoint where the drones came from or who controlled them.
Government Reaction and Laws
The country's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has said he will address the issue of drone defense systems at a Saturday meeting of European interior ministers, which was originally scheduled as a immigration meeting.
On Friday morning, the leader also vowed to advance suggested regulations allowing it easier for the police to ask the armed forces to shoot drones down.
EU Authorities Confront UAV Issue
Recent UAV observations across the EU prompted a leaders' summit in Copenhagen lately.
Multiple EU member states have supported proposals for a comprehensive "UAV barrier" to quickly identify, then follow and eliminate foreign UAVs.
20 suspected drones entered into that nation and foreign MiG-31 jets invaded Estonia's skies in separate recent incidents.
Danish and Norwegian air hubs were obliged to halt operations after unknown aircraft were seen near airport and military airspaces.
German Chancellor the figure said ahead of the conference that violations were increasing and that it was "logical to believe the drones are launched by the Russian side."
The nation has rejected any participation, while Denmark's authorities say there was insufficient indication Russia was connected.
Speaking at a conference in the coastal location of the city on Thursday, the leader Vladimir Putin laughed off suggestions he ordered drones to that country.
"No repeat occurrences. No further actions - neither to France or the Danes or that city," the president stated.