As flight operations largely returned to normal at Munich Airport on Sunday, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius called for calm following repeated sightings of drones over some of the nation’s largest and busiest airports.
Drones were sighted on Thursday and Friday evening at Germany’s second-largest airport, leading to a temporary suspension of flight operations on both days that affected thousands of travellers.
Numerous flights were diverted or cancelled and nearly 10,000 people were unable to travel as planned, with some forced to spend the night at the airport, where camp beds, blankets and food were provided and shops remained open overnight.
Of the more than 1,000 take-offs and landings planned for Saturday, airlines cancelled around 170 flights for operational reasons, while other flights experienced delays.
However by Sunday morning the impacts were notably reduced, with flight operations beginning on time, the airport said, but passengers are advised to check their flight status on their airline’s website before heading to the airport.
Minister advises calm
The incidents in Munich were the latest in a series of drone sightings in European airspace, raising concerns throughout the region.
Pistorius said he understands the uncertainty, noting in an interview with the Handelsblatt business newspaper published on Sunday that such a debate has not occurred before: “That is why it is all the more important to view the situation soberly and calmly: So far, the observed drones have not posed any concrete threat.”
According to Handelsblatt, the interview was conducted before drones were sighted at Munich Airport on Thursday and Friday evening. It remains unclear who is responsible for the drone flights.
From Pistorius’ perspective, Russia is fundamentally aiming to sow uncertainty with airspace violations and drone overflights.
“It’s about provoking, instilling fear, and triggering controversial debates. [Russian President Vladimir] Putin knows Germany very, very well, as we all know. He also knows the German instincts and reflexes,” Pistorius said.
Minister views plans for drone defence centre sceptically
Pistorius emphasized that Germany is making significant progress in drone defence. At the same time, he tempered expectations of the German Armed Forces, the Bundeswehr.
“The Bundeswehr cannot be everywhere in Germany where drones appear and bring them down,” he said. “Much more crucial is that the state and federal police build the capabilities they need to operate up to a certain altitude.”
Pistorius is sceptical about the plans of Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt for a drone defence centre. “This centre would then only be responsible for a potential threat from drones. However, we must expect that there could be multiple threat scenarios,” said the defence minister. “Therefore, we primarily need a joint 24/7-360-degree situational awareness.”
As an example, he mentioned the case where forest fires or power outages occur simultaneously in different parts of Germany.
“All relevant data for assessing Germany’s security situation should converge at one point. Only in this way can one determine whether there might be a connection and a common cause behind the apparent isolated incidents,” said Pistorius.
Hesse seeks measures, money, coordination
Meanwhile in Hesse, state Premier Boris Rhein outlined further measures – and the need for funding – for drone defence following the uptick in sightings.
He told VRM media that Hesse is well-prepared when it comes to drones but further capabilities are needed to detect and defend sites from drones, he said. “And for that, we will also invest money.”
Rhein also highlighted the necessity for “a coordinated approach between the federal and state governments” regarding responsibilities and technical equipment.
Hesse already plays a pioneering role in legal terms concerning drone defence, having enabled effective anti-drone measures in the police law by 2024, allowing the police to neutralize drones, he said. The defence and combat of military drones must remain the responsibility of the federal government, Rhein added.
A drone was also spotted at Germany’s largest airport in Frankfurt, in the state of Hesse, on Friday. A hobby drone pilot triggered a police operation there with a short test flight, but operations were not disturbed.
Bavaria is also planning a new regulation to allow the state police to shoot down drones if necessary, Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said.
“We want to significantly expand the legal possibilities of the Bavarian police so that they can act immediately and effectively against drones. This also means that the police may shoot down drones immediately in case of acute danger,” Herrmann said.