Germany is installing a laser system at Munich Airport to fend off drones, according to media reports.
German authorities have deployed a laser system near Munich Airport to counter incursions by drones that recently disrupted air traffic for two consecutive days. According to the German newspaper Bild, this system aims to detect drones and measure the distance between them and the airport, enhancing security capabilities and preventing further shutdowns.
This step came after a series of alarming incidents last week, where unidentified drones were spotted around the airport several times. The first sightings were around 8:30 PM on October 2 in nearby areas such as Freising and Erding. Later that night, drones were seen near the airport fence, prompting authorities to immediately close it as a precautionary measure.
Authorities canceled 17 flights and diverted 15 others to Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna, and Frankfurt, while police launched extensive search operations in the area. Field beds, blankets, drinks, and snacks were provided for travelers whose flights were canceled while waiting for operations to resume.
Despite search efforts, drones were spotted again the following day near the northern and southern runways of the airport shortly before 11 PM. German police confirmed the sightings but were unable to identify the devices before they disappeared. On the morning of October 4, new sightings of drones led to the cancellation or rerouting of an additional 170 flights, increasing disruptions in travel in southern Germany.
These events coincided with the conclusion of the famous Oktoberfest celebrations in Munich and the Munich Migration Meeting organized by the government, which focused discussions on responding to the risks of drones. Munich is the latest among several European cities that have experienced similar incidents over the past three months, with at least 11 countries — including Lithuania, Latvia, Denmark, Norway, Romania, Poland, Estonia, Germany, Belgium, and France — reporting incidents of airspace breaches or disruptions caused by drones. European leaders agreed in their recent meetings in Copenhagen to accelerate plans to establish what is called a 'drone wall' on the eastern border of the European Union to enhance air security.