Last generation blocked the runway for hours in Leipzig/Halle
Activists aim to make a statement against climate-damaging air traffic - right in the middle of the night at Saxony's largest airport. They are particularly targeting air cargo at one of Europe's most important hubs.
Members of the group Last Generation temporarily blocked operations at Leipzig/Halle Airport overnight. Five people had glued themselves to the runway, a police spokesman said. Two others were prevented from doing so. According to an airport spokesman, flight operations were suspended for around three hours from around 00:30. The cargo operation was affected. Delays may occur in passenger flights scheduled to depart in the morning.
Leipzig/Halle Airport is the fourth-largest hub for air cargo in Europe, handling around 1.4 million tons of freight annually. According to Last Generation, activists entered the airport grounds around midnight, aiming to make a statement against increasing air traffic, the airport's inadequate climate strategy, and the lack of a federal government plan for a rapid exit from fossil fuels.
On X, the group wrote: "Today's blockade primarily affects cargo traffic - the night flight ban is suspended for this." The post was accompanied by photos of activists on the runway, at least one with a hand glued to the ground. Their signs read: "Oil kills."
Last week, climate protesters disrupted flight operations for several hours at both Frankfurt Airport and Cologne/Bonn Airport. There was also a peaceful protest action at Stuttgart Airport without any restrictions on air traffic. In response, Leipzig Airport, among others, announced that it would beef up security measures. Security personnel have been sensitized and will act with increased vigilance, it was reported.
The activists' actions at Leipzig/Halle Airport directly targeted the climate impact of air cargo, as they aim to reduce its volume due to concerns about increasing air traffic and the airport's inadequate climate strategy. The disruption affected cargo operations, potentially leading to delays in scheduled morning passenger flights.
