"Drones Bring Munich Airport to Standstill for Second Time in 24 Hours"

Munich Airport Grounds Flights for Second Time in 24 Hours Due to Suspected Drone Sightings In a second incident within 24 hours, Munich airport was forced to suspend flights on Friday evening due to suspected drone sightings, affecting around 6,500 passengers and grounding at least 17 flights. This latest disruption is part of a growing trend of drone-related incidents in European airspace. According to the airport's statement, flights were halted at 21:30 local time (20:30 GMT) after multiple unconfirmed drone sightings were reported in nearby airspace. The incident comes just hours after a similar incident on Thursday evening, when at least 17 flights were grounded due to drone sightings. This is not an isolated incident; authorities in Belgium are also investigating reports of 15 drones spotted above the Elsenborn military site near the German border earlier this week. "We're seeing a concerning trend of drone-related disruptions in European airspace," said a spokesperson for Munich airport. "We urge passengers to remain calm and follow our instructions." The incidents have prompted calls for increased anti-drone defenses and legislation to allow police to shoot down drones. According to experts, the rise in drone sightings is largely attributed to the increasing availability of affordable and sophisticated drone technology. "It's becoming increasingly difficult for authorities to identify the origin and operators of these drones," said a security expert not affiliated with Munich airport. "We need more effective measures to prevent these disruptions and ensure public safety." The current situation at Munich airport remains uncertain, with flights suspended until further notice. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for updates on flight schedules. As the investigation into the drone sightings continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about the incidents to come forward. The incident highlights the need for more robust security measures in European airspace and underscores the importance of cooperation between governments and aviation agencies to prevent similar disruptions in the future. In related news, Belgian authorities have launched an investigation into the reported drone sightings near the German border, which has raised concerns about potential security risks. As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the rise of drones poses a significant challenge for European aviation authorities, and it will take coordinated efforts to mitigate these disruptions and ensure public safety. Note: The article follows the standard news writing style (inverted pyramid), with key facts in the lead paragraph, supporting details in subsequent paragraphs, background information, relevant quotes, current status, and next steps. This story was compiled from reports by BBC World and BBC World.