Munich Airport resumes flights after control tower evacuation over faulty ventilation component
Air traffic at Munich Airport was suspended for nearly two hours on Sunday evening after staff reported an intense burning smell in the control tower, later traced to a defective ventilation part.
Tower evacuated after smoke smell
Operations at Munich Airport, one of Europe's ten busiest by flight movements, ground to a halt on Sunday evening after air traffic control staff reported an intense burning smell in the tower. The airport confirmed on its website that the tower was evacuated at 20:33 local time (18:33 GMT), and German air traffic control (Deutsche Flugsicherung) stopped all take-offs and landings until further notice. Employees described an "intense odour," but firefighters dispatched to the scene found neither fire nor smoke inside the tower.
The tower at Munich Airport was evacuated at 20:33 due to a smell of burning.
Initial reports from several German media outlets spoke of a fire in the tower, but federal police and the airport later clarified that no flames were visible and the situation involved only a burning smell. A federal police spokesperson told DPA that the situation was initially unclear: "We don't know exactly yet."
Cause identified as defective part
By late evening, an airport spokesperson confirmed that the alarm had been triggered by a defective component belonging to the ventilation system. The part was replaced, and the tower was declared fully operational again without restrictions. The source of the odour had been investigated by airport firefighters.
The defective component was part of the ventilation system and was subsequently replaced. The tower can now operate without restrictions again.
Flights resume with residual delays
Flights resumed at 22:15 (20:15 GMT), according to the airport, roughly one hour and forty minutes after the halt began. A Lufthansa announcement indicated further arrivals were still expected on Sunday evening. The airport's website warned passengers of possible delays, and earlier departure and arrival boards had shown flights as cancelled, delayed, or diverted. Aircraft bound for Munich were redirected to alternate airports, including Stuttgart.
- Tower evacuated after staff report intense burning smell; all take-offs and landings suspended.
- Fire alarm reported at the airport; firefighters investigate the tower.
- Flights resume; airport warns of possible delays.
- First departure confirmed; Lufthansa announces further arrivals expected.
- Airport spokesperson confirms defective ventilation component replaced; tower fully operational.
Context and recent disruptions
The interruption came just two days after the end of the Pentecost school holidays in Bavaria on Friday 5 June, meaning some returning holidaymakers were likely affected by the stoppage. Munich Airport houses 150 shops and 60 restaurants, and ranks eighth among Europe's largest airports by flight movements according to its 2025 annual statistical report. The airport's last operational disruption occurred on 30 May 2026, when a drone sighting near the airfield forced a temporary halt.
