Germany’s Munich Airport, one of the busiest aviation hubs in Europe, faced a sudden and unsettling disruption on the night of October 18, 2025, after several reports of unknown drones in its vicinity. The incident, which unfolded in two distinct waves around 10 p.m. and then again at 11 p.m. local time, triggered a temporary closure of the airport and raised fresh concerns about the growing menace of drone incursions across European airspace.
According to federal police and airport officials, the first wave of “suspicious observations” was reported by multiple witnesses, including security personnel and airport employees. These sightings, which lasted for about half an hour, were followed by a second round of similar reports an hour later. As a precaution, operations at Munich Airport were halted—an extraordinary measure for such a critical international gateway.
Despite the alarm, the overall impact on passengers and flight schedules was described as minor. The airport administration told the Associated Press that three planes were temporarily diverted—two of which were eventually able to land in Munich after the situation was deemed safe, while one departure had to be canceled. By midnight, authorities had resumed airport operations, and by the following morning, air traffic was back to normal. Federal police, after a thorough search of the area, confirmed that no drones or suspicious individuals were found.
This was not an isolated episode. In fact, as reported by Economic Times and AP, Munich Airport had already experienced two closures earlier in October 2025 within a 24-hour period, also due to drone sightings. Those incidents affected thousands of passengers and highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to unmanned aerial vehicles, especially when their origin and intent remain unknown.
The Munich episode is the latest in a string of mysterious drone incursions that have rattled airports and military facilities across the European Union. Over the past several weeks, authorities in Germany, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and other countries have recorded numerous flights of unknown drones over sensitive sites. According to RBC Ukraine, these incidents have included drones flying over military and infrastructure installations, with some cases involving direct violations of national airspace by Russian military aircraft and drones.
In September 2025, the tempo of these hybrid attacks intensified sharply. On September 7, Estonia reported a Russian Mi-8 helicopter entering its airspace near Vaindloo Island without a flight plan or active transponder. Days later, on September 10, approximately 20 Russian drones crossed into Polish airspace, with some being shot down by NATO fighter jets. Romania faced a similar incursion on September 13, when a Russian drone penetrated 10 kilometers into its territory and lingered for about 50 minutes. The Polish Border Guard also documented increased drone activity near its borders on September 17, involving both Belarusian and Russian drones.
The pattern of these violations has not gone unnoticed by European leaders. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen publicly described the systematic breaches of EU airspace by Russian drones as part of a broader “hybrid war” that Russia is waging against Europe. The term “hybrid war” refers to a blend of conventional military tactics, cyberattacks, disinformation, and, increasingly, the use of drones to probe and disrupt.
Other significant incidents have further heightened regional anxiety. On September 19, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace for 12 minutes—a violation that Estonian officials described as the most serious in two decades. In Denmark, the Copenhagen Airport, which also serves as an air base for the Danish Air Force, was forced to suspend operations twice in late September due to large drone sightings. Around the same time, drones were observed over military facilities and airports in Denmark, with a Russian Navy ship spotted at sea nearby.
Sweden and Finland have also been targeted. Two unidentified drones were sighted over the Karlskrona archipelago, home to Sweden’s main naval base, while a drone appeared above a hydroelectric power station near Rovaniemi in Finland. Even Norway was not spared—on September 27, drones were spotted near the Erland airbase, which hosts a significant number of F-35 fighters and serves as a focal point for NATO exercises.
These incidents have prompted strong reactions from the aviation industry. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary, for instance, has called for a more aggressive response, urging authorities to “shoot down drones threatening European airports.” O’Leary has been sharply critical of EU leaders, accusing them of failing to adequately protect strategic facilities from drone attacks.
The growing frequency and geographic spread of drone incursions have left European governments scrambling to adapt. While the direct impact on passengers at Munich Airport on October 18 was limited—just three flights diverted and one cancellation—the psychological effect and operational disruptions underscore the potential for much greater harm. Earlier in the month, thousands of travelers were affected by similar closures at Munich Airport, underscoring the ripple effects such incidents can have across the continent’s interconnected air travel network.
Federal police and security agencies are now under pressure to bolster surveillance and response protocols. Yet, as the latest Munich incident demonstrates, even swift action and extensive searches may not always yield tangible results. The inability to locate any drones or operators after the airport’s closure leaves more questions than answers about the motives behind these incursions and the capabilities of those orchestrating them.
For now, Munich Airport is back to its usual rhythm, but the sense of unease lingers. The airport’s repeated closures in October, the broader pattern of drone activity across Europe, and the ongoing geopolitical tensions with Russia all point to a new era of uncertainty for European airspace. As technology continues to evolve, so too do the challenges facing those tasked with keeping the skies safe—an endeavor that now requires vigilance not just against traditional threats, but also against the silent, hovering presence of drones whose purpose remains shrouded in mystery.
With each new incursion, the urgency for coordinated European action grows. Whether through advanced detection systems, revised regulations, or international diplomacy, the continent’s response to this emerging threat will likely shape the future of air travel and security for years to come.