Both runways at Munich Airport were closed on Friday night for the second time in less than 24 hours after drones were seen again, which led to dozens of flights being redirected or canceled and stranded about 6,500 passengers, authorities said.
Early Saturday morning, the airport said its scheduled opening at 1 p.m.
“German air traffic control limited aircraft operations at Munich Airport as a precautionary measure due to uncommoned drone observations and suspended them so far,” read a statement on the airport website.
In a later update, the airport said 23 flights were redirected, 12 flights to Munich and 48 departure canceled or exposed.
“Like the previous night, the airport and airlines took care of the passengers,” it added. “Camps, blankets, drinks and snacks were handed out.”
The previous evening, the captain told on a London-bound aircraft whose departure was canceled, passengers passengers, that runways had been closed “due to drone observations near the start and runways” and that police helicopters were high.
The airport site showed that proper arrivals had been redirected from 1 p.m. 20.35 local time (1835 GMT).
Munich Airport was closed for several hours late on Thursday and in the small hours of unconfirmed drone view that disturbed dozens of flights.
European aviation has repeatedly been thrown into chaos in recent weeks by drone observations that some authorities have blamed Russia. The Kremlin has denied any involvement.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt promised earlier on Friday to present legislation, making it easier for police to ask the military to shoot drones.
