Last Generation - Flight traffic in Frankfurt halted due to climate activists
Climate activists from the group "Last Generation" disrupted air traffic at Frankfurt Airport with a new protest. Six activists managed to gain access to the airport grounds by going through a wire fence and blocked various runways early in the morning, according to the group's statement on Thursday. They published a photo of an activist who appeared to have glued himself and held a sign with the inscription "Oil kills."
A spokesperson for the Federal Police confirmed that several climate activists were on the premises. Flights were not taking place at the time. "We are making every effort to remove the climate activists from the premises," he said. According to the airport's website, several planes were redirected to other airports in the morning. A few hours later, a spokesperson for the Federal Police announced that all flights had been temporarily halted.
The group "Last Generation" had blocked the Cologne/Bonn airport the previous day and protested in Vienna. A police spokeswoman said that a report had been filed for violating the Assembly Law, endangering air traffic, and breaking and entering.
Frankfurt Airport: Climate activists specifically target airports during the holiday season
On X, formerly Twitter, the activists wrote about the action in Frankfurt: "Today: Frankfurt Airport. The further promotion and combustion of Oil, Gas and Coal is a threat to our existence. We have come together internationally: Out of Fossil Fuels by 2030!"
In further statements, the group "Last Generation" repeated their demand from the previous day to the German government: "to participate in shaping and signing a legally binding international agreement that regulates the global exit from Oil, Gas and Coal by 2030." The six demonstrators had cut openings in the wire fence with small pliers and had reached various points around the runways on foot, with bicycles, and on skateboards, according to the statement. The action was part of international protests in Germany, the USA, Great Britain, Austria, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Spain, and Norway.
- Fraport, the company that manages Frankfurt Airport, expressed concern over the disruptions caused by the climate activists, emphasizing the importance of maintaining safe and efficient air traffic operations.
- In response to the protests, Frankfurt Airport announced that it would be strengthening its security measures toward the end of the year, aiming to prevent similar incidents during the peak holiday season.
- The Federal Police reported that they were investigating the actions of the Last Generation activists at Frankfurt Airport, considering charges of disrupting air traffic, trespassing, and damaging property.
