- "Last Generation" invades several airports <unk> Faeser criticizes "criminal actions"
Climate activists of the Last Generation have launched protest actions at several German airports, temporarily disrupting flight operations. According to the organization's statements, two activists managed to enter the airports in Berlin-Brandenburg, Stuttgart, Nuremberg, and Cologne/Bonn.
At Cologne/Bonn Airport, flight operations were temporarily suspended due to the protest action, according to police reports. Even after resuming operations, delays may still occur, the airport announced. The activists reportedly gained access to the airside area of the airport grounds. A hole was found in a fence on the grounds.
In Nuremberg, flight operations were also suspended for about an hour, according to a police spokesman. Two climate activists reportedly gained access to the runway of the airport early in the morning. A DPA reporter on the scene reported a hole in the fence in the southern area of the runway, with two bolt cutters nearby.
Climate activists halt operations at airports
At the capital airport BER and in Stuttgart, two activists each glued themselves to the ground, according to police reports. All four were taken into custody. In both cases, the federal police stated that the flight traffic was not affected.
The Last Generation explained in a statement that the activists peacefully expressed their resistance by displaying banners with the inscriptions "Oil kills" and "Sign the treaty". "The runways were not entered in the process."
Faeser condemns "criminal actions"
The group demands radical climate protection, including a complete ban on coal, oil, and gas, and the conclusion of an international contract to that effect. Since the beginning of 2022, the group has organized street blockades where participants glued themselves to the ground. In the meantime, however, they announced a change in strategy and will no longer use glue in the future. The climate activists have carried out several disruptive actions at airports in recent months, including at Germany's largest airport in Frankfurt at the end of July.
Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD) sharply condemned the glue actions. On the platform X, she referred to a planned tightening of the law that the cabinet had approved in July. "These criminal actions are dangerous and stupid," Faeser wrote. "We have proposed severe penalties for freedom. And we oblige airports to secure their facilities much better."
"Crimes of the Last Generation"
The "crimes of the Last Generation" are "again and again endangering the security and operation of important infrastructure," said FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai. "They are thus dividing our society and doing a disservice to climate protection."
The federal government wants to deter radical climate protectors and other disruptors of dangerous actions at airports with a tightening of the Air Security Act. The core of the planned reform, which still needs to be decided by the Bundestag, is the creation of a new provision that makes the "intentional, unauthorized intrusion" onto the apron, as well as the runways, punishable - and that if it affects the safety of civil aviation.
Last Generation accepts offer of talks
The actions are "a coordinated act of criminal extortion," said ADV CEO Ralph Beisel in a statement. The multi-layered security concept of the airports, with the fence installations as one component, has proven effective. Air traffic was immediately halted. "The reporting and alarm chains are functioning reliably," said Beisel.
ADV had offered climate activists a dialogue last week. In an open letter, it stated: "It is undeniable that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Criminal blockades of airports do not contribute to a solution." Letzte Generation shared on X that it gladly accepts the offer for dialogue.
At Cologne/Bonn Airport and Nuremberg, protests from climate activists led to temporary suspensions of flight operations, as mentioned in police reports and statements from authorities. These actions disrupt air traffic, as demonstrated by the activists' entry into restricted areas and the creation of holes in fences at some airports.
