climate protests - Frankfurt Airport: Security concept taken hold
The Frankfurt Airport operator Fraport is holding firm to its Security Concept after climate demonstrators glued themselves to its facilities. A company spokesperson stated that it had functioned "very, very solidly" on Thursday morning. Operations at Germany's largest airport resumed on schedule on Friday morning after over 250 cancellations the previous day.
Despite the disruptions to air traffic, no one was harmed, the Fraport spokesperson added. Immediately after the illegal fence was crossed, an alarm was triggered, and response teams were quickly on the scene, taking into consideration the large area. However, demonstrators had already glued themselves to several spots on the ground.
No one was harmed
Flight operations were halted on Thursday morning to prevent loss of life. Fraport CEO Stefan Schulte commented on LinkedIn: "Thanks to good coordination and the quick intervention of the response teams, no one was harmed - and that's definitely the most important thing."
The incident will be reviewed and discussed with the security forces, the Fraport spokesperson said. However, it's still too early to name specific measures.
The Airport Association ADV expressed skepticism towards potential political guidelines on airport security, as proposed by Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) in collaboration with the states. "We cannot control 350 kilometers of German airport fence. In essence: Constant surveillance like at the inner-German border is not realistic," ADV CEO Ralph Beisel told the portal "T-Online" on Thursday.
Released on bail
The police released the eight activists from the group "Last Generation" who were arrested on Thursday. They were all men and women, as well as two non-binary individuals, aged between 20 and 44. They were all not registered in Hessen.
They must now answer for the suspicion of endangering air traffic, trespassing, property damage, and violating the Assembly Act.
- The demonstrators chose to stage their Climate protest at Frankfurt Airport, which is operated by Fraport.
- Despite the obstruction caused by the demonstration at Frankfurt Airport, the company's Security concept proved effective in ensuring Adhesion to safety procedures.
- The climate activists who glued themselves to Frankfurt Airport's facilities were eventually released on bail by the police in Hesse.
- The incident at Frankfurt Airport has prompted Fraport to arrange a meeting to review and discuss the situation with their security forces.
- The disruptions at Frankfurt Airport due to the Climate protest had significant implications for Air traffic, leading to over 250 cancellations.
