According to German newspaper Bild, local authorities have deployed a laser installation at Munich Airport. The role of the installation is aimed at protecting the airport from any further drone intrusions. The laser device was placed close to one of the airport’s runways to help detect and track unauthorised drones coming close to it.
The move follows two drone sightings in the span of 24 hours at the beginning of October. Initial drone sightings were reported around 8:30 pm on 2nd October 2025 in the areas surrounding the airport, including the towns of Freising and Erding. The airport later stated that the drones were then spotted near the airport fence, with more sightings on the airport grounds two hours later.
After the drones were initially detected, 17 flights were cancelled and 15 more were diverted to Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna, and Frankfurt. This was due to a preventive closure for “extensive search operations” in the area conducted by the police. Officials provided camp beds, blankets, drinks, and snacks for the passengers whose flights were cancelled.
After reported drone sightings over Munich Airport earlier this evening the airport remains closed until 0259 UTC this morning. 14 flights were diverted. https://t.co/CFDGoduFWa pic.twitter.com/b5hwFI4xVZ
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) October 3, 2025
The following day, German police saw two unidentified drones near the north and south runways of Munich Airport just before 11:00 pm. Furthermore, more drones were observed on the morning of 4th October 2025, resulting in an additional 170 cancellations, reported the airport.
“It is important to emphasise that the detection and defence against drones are sovereign tasks and are the responsibility of the federal and state police,” wrote Munich Airport in its statement.
👀 Capture of one of the "drones" who caused the closer to #Munich Airport from where an unidentified object has been captured on live camera at 10:18 PM CET via @wow36932525 ✓
— OSINT Military Tracker (@OSINTMilTracker) October 3, 2025
Notable is the size of the "drone" who suddenly disappeared in the footage for unknown reasons. pic.twitter.com/IbMH9O4soF
Munich Airport’s security team hopes that the new laser system will prevent future drone incidents or at least minimise disruptions if they recur. Bild reported that the new systems would help determine a drone’s distance from the airport, allowing for a faster response to potential threats.
Drones have been noticed in other parts of European airspace, disrupting airport operations and causing flight suspensions. For example, in September, this happened in Poland when 19 Russian drones flew into Polish airspace, leading to interruptions at four airports. Additionally, on 22nd and 23rd September, two of Scandinavia’s busiest airports were shut down following the sighting of unauthorised drones.
The list of countries that saw drone incursions is longer – drones have been spotted in Romania, Estonia, Belgium, Lithuania, Latvia, and France. In response to these widespread incursions, European leaders, following meetings in Copenhagen in early October, have decided to advance the development of a “drone wall” along the bloc’s eastern border.
