Climate activists cause flight suspensions at German airports

Environmental activists breached airfields at four German airports on Thursday, causing temporary flight suspensions at some of them, marking the latest in a series of similar protests.

The Last Generation campaign group said in a statement that eight activists had participated in coordinated protests at Berlin, Cologne Bonn, Nuremberg and Stuttgart airports, demanding that the German government negotiate and commit to a global phase-out of oil, gas, and coal by 2030.

German news agency dpa reported that flights were briefly suspended at Nuremberg and Cologne Bonn airports after protesters glued themselves to the ground, while at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, two activists were removed and detained.

Nuremberg Airport reported on social media that activist disruptions had led to a brief suspension of flights lasting more than an hour, resulting in six delays, one cancellation, and one rerouted flight.

Cologne Bonn Airport halted operations temporarily due to a security breach, with police reporting that intruders cut a hole in the perimeter fence.

Stuttgart Airport reported that air traffic remained unaffected after police promptly apprehended two protesters who had attempted to block a taxiway.

Last Generation previously announced its plans for disruptive action across various nations in Europe and North America, reported Reuters.

Formed in 2021, the group derives its name from activists who view themselves as the final generation before climate collapse.

"What is at stake right now are billions of human lives," one of the group's activists stated in a video from an airfield, shared on social media on Thursday. "Climate collapse is already a reality for many people. We still have the privilege of being able to do something about it here."

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser condemned the protests on social media network X.

"These criminal actions are dangerous and stupid," she wrote, warning that the activists "are not just risking their own lives but also endangering others".

German politicians have been calling for enhanced airport security since climate activist breaches disrupted air traffic, including two consecutive days of interference at Frankfurt Airport, the nation's busiest airport, last month.

Faeser highlighted recent legislation approved by the German Cabinet, designed to strengthen penalties for those breaching airport security perimeters.

The proposed bill, still pending parliamentary approval, envisions punishments of up to two years' imprisonment for individuals who deliberately enter restricted airport areas like taxiways or runways, pose a threat to civil aviation, or facilitate such actions by others. This would mark a change from the current system, where such intrusions typically result only in fines.