Bavarian police have warned drone users after several hobby pilots ignored the expanded restriction zone around Munich Airport during Oktoberfest, causing brief disruption to airport operations in two cases. The temporary no-fly area was widened to a 6-kilometre radius around the airport for the festival period, as authorities sought to protect controlled airspace and maintain safe operations in Munich.
Police Headquarters Upper Bavaria North urged pilots to check the current rules before flying and pointed users to the federal digital unmanned aviation platform for local restrictions. The warning followed repeated violations that authorities described as unco-ordinated recreational flights rather than a deliberate campaign.
The police also highlighted the financial and legal consequences of such breaches. Disruption can trigger damage claims of several thousand euros, while flights that endanger air safety may lead to criminal proceedings. The temporary restriction sits alongside the airport’s standard drone rules, which remain in force throughout the year and are tightened during major events such as Oktoberfest.