MUNICH Airport was plunged into chaos after mystery drones forced both runways to close - stranding thousands of passengers just as the city gears up for the final weekend of Oktoberfest.

German police on Thursday confirmed "several drones" were spotted hovering near the travel hub from around 9.30pm, with sightings later over the airfield itself.

Officers scrambled to track the devices but were unable to identify them or their operators, Bild reported.

By 10.30pm last night, flights were halted and the airport shut down, with 17 departures cancelled.

Fifteen incoming flights had to be diverted to Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna and Frankfurt.

And around 3,000 passengers were left sleeping on camp beds with snacks and drinks handed out overnight, according to airport officials.

Federa

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