- Climate activists at airports: disruption in flight operations
The "Last Generation" climate initiative launched protests at several German airports, temporarily disrupting flight operations. In orange safety vests, pairs of activists gained access to airports in Berlin-Brandenburg, Stuttgart, Nuremberg, and Cologne-Bonn, as confirmed by dpa photographers on the scene.
At Cologne/Bonn Airport, flight operations had to be temporarily suspended due to the protest, according to police reports. Delays may still occur even after resumption, the airport announced. Activists had gained access to the airside area of the airport grounds, with a hole found in a fence on the premises.
In Nuremberg, flight operations were also suspended for about an hour, according to a police spokesperson. Two climate activists had gained access to the airport's runway in the early morning, with a hole in the fence in the southern area of the runway and two bolt cutters found nearby.
At Berlin Airport, two individuals aged 21 and 22 were found glued to the ground by the Brandenburg state police. They were later released and taken into custody. Police are now investigating charges of vandalism, trespassing, and violation of the air security law. Both individuals are known to the police for similar offenses. No information on the activists' gender was provided.
Demanding complete abandonment of coal, oil, and gas
The Last Generation stated that the activists peacefully expressed their resistance by displaying banners with the slogans "Oil kills" and "Sign the treaty." "The runways were not entered during this action."
The Last Generation demands radical climate protection, including the complete abandonment of coal, oil, and gas. They call for the conclusion of an international treaty to this effect. Since early 2022, the group has organized street blockades where participants glue themselves in place. However, they have since announced a change in strategy, abandoning the use of glue in the future. The climate activists have also carried out several similar actions at airports, including Germany's largest airport in Frankfurt, at the end of July.
Tougher laws to deter activists
The German government plans to tighten the air security law to deter radical climate activists and other disrupters from carrying out dangerous actions at airports. The core of the planned reform, which still needs to be decided by the Bundestag, is the creation of a new provision that makes it a punishable offense to intentionally and unlawfully enter, among other areas, the runway and the takeoff and landing strips, if it endangers the safety of civil aviation.
At the finale of their actions, The Last Generation displayed banners during their peaceful demonstration, asserting the need for "Complete abandonment of coal, oil, and gas."
Following the disruptions at several airports, German authorities are considering tougher laws to deter similar activist actions, focusing on prohibiting intentional and unlawful entrance into runways and takeoff strips, posing a threat to civil aviation safety.
