Lufthansa demands millions from the last generation
**If the Climate Activists of the Last Generation measure the success of their endeavors by the height of the demanded compensation, the blockade of the Frankfurt Airport on Thursday was a triumph: Lufthansa is demanding a significant higher compensation.
According to a Lufthansa spokesperson to "Bild am Sonntag", the damages will be considerably higher than previously anticipated due to the significant number of affected flights and passengers, and the need to redirect more planes to other airports. The seven involved activists are reportedly expected to pay a sum in the millions.
According to "Bild" reports, Lufthansa had previously demanded 740,000 Euros in compensation for the occupations of runways at three airports. However, the activists only agreed to pay this amount if Lufthansa compensated for the environmental damages caused by the company. The Last Generation estimates these damages to be six billion Euros per year.
Lufthansa has reportedly filed a lawsuit against the Düsseldorf Airport blockade because no compensation has been paid yet. The chances of success for Lufthansa's lawsuits are unclear. According to an article in ZDF, there is a theoretical chance as German civil law provides liability for so-called "unlawful actions".
However, it is clear that the legal situation is more nuanced when tangible objects are damaged during the actions. The assessment becomes more difficult when the operation is disrupted, such as during the blocking of runways - when planes cannot take off or land. Ultimately, courts will have to decide if these actions can be justified under the right to freedom of assembly.
Activists from the Last Generation had glued themselves to the Frankfurt Airport grounds early on Thursday morning, causing around 230 of the planned 1400 flights to be canceled according to the airport operator Fraport. Over 150 short and medium-haul Lufthansa flights were affected, 16 long-haul planes could not land in Frankfurt and had to be redirected to other airports. The action fueled the ongoing debate about stricter penalties for such actions.**
Despite the significant compensation demanded by Lufthansa for the carbon dioxide emission disruptions caused by the Last Generation's strike at the Frankfurt Airport, the activists argue that the real issue lies in the company's overall carbon dioxide emission contribution to climate change, which they estimate to be six billion Euros per year. The economic impact of the strike, with damaged runways and canceled flights, is a concern for both Lufthansa and the affected airport operators, raising questions about the balance between environmental activism and economic consequences.
