Reaction to disturbances - Cabinet strengthens rules for security at airports
The Federal Cabinet has decided on a toughening of the Air Security Law to prevent radical climate activists and other disturbances on airport premises. "Anyone who intrudes onto airport property, clings to runways and significantly disrupts air traffic risks not only their own life," explained Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD). Such incidents are also dangerous for many bystanders. Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) stated: "I hope that this legislative amendment will deter activists and prevent disruptions during the current peak travel season."
The core of the planned reform, which still needs to be approved by the Bundestag, is the creation of a new provision that penalizes "deliberate, unauthorized entry" not only onto the runway but also onto the start and landing strips, provided that the civil aviation security is affected.
Whoever cuts through a fence and then blocks a runway will, in the future, face a prison sentence of up to two years or a fine. The attempt should also be punishable. Until now, only a fine was imposed in such cases. Deliberate entry into the part of the airport that experts call the "airside" will, in the future, be punishable by up to five years in prison if someone carries a weapon or hazardous substances with them or if it is about enabling or concealing another criminal offense.
Unauthorized actions by climate activists have occurred, for example, at Munich and Berlin-Brandenburg airports.
- The Federal government, led by the Federal Cabinet, is aiming to strengthen the Air Safety Law to counteract radical climate activists and disruptions at German airports.
- In response to these incidents, Nancy Faeser, the Federal Interior Minister from the SPD, emphasized the risks associated with such actions on airport property.
- During a meeting, Volker Wissing, the Transport Minister from the FDP, expressed his hope that the amendment to the Air Security Law would deter activists and prevent disruptions during the peak travel season.
- The proposed reform, which requires approval from the Bundestag, includes a new provision penalizing deliberate, unauthorized entry not only onto runways but also onto start and landing strips.
- Bavaria's Minister-President Markus Söder from the CSU has expressed his support for the reform, highlighting the need to protect civil aviation security.
- In Hamburg, the FDP has voiced concerns about potential interference with the democratic process in the context of the law's amendment.
- The new law would impose stiffer penalties for cutting through fences and blocking runways, with potential prison sentences or fines, as well as harsher penalties for carrying weapons or hazardous substances during unauthorized entry to the "airside" of the airport.
