On Thursday, a significant disruption was caused at Germany’s busiest airport by environmental activists, leading to the cancellation of 270 flights.
The coordinated protest was aimed at raising awareness about climate change issues during the peak summer vacation period.
Frankfurt Airport, one of Europe’s major aviation hubs, experienced severe disruptions when activists breached security fences early in the morning. The incident forced a halt in flight operations for safety reasons.
While airport operations resumed by 7:50 a.m. local time, Frankfurt Airport’s operator, Fraport, reported that 270 out of the 1,400 flights scheduled for the day were canceled, according to German news agency dpa.
Police revealed that seven individuals managed to damage the airport’s perimeter fence and enter the premises around 5 a.m. They attached themselves to various locations on the tarmac, while an eighth activist affixed themselves to the fence. All eight protesters were subsequently detained by the authorities.
The environmental groups responsible for the protests have announced plans to target airports across Europe throughout the summer.
Their objective is to underscore the link between fossil fuels—commonly used in air travel—and climate change. They are urging governments to halt fossil fuel extraction and use by 2030.
The urgency of their message was highlighted by recent climate data indicating that Monday was the hottest day ever recorded. This stark reminder of the impacts of human-induced climate change contrasts sharply with global commitments to reduce fossil fuel dependency. Despite these commitments, the International Energy Agency projects a 7% increase in investments in oil and gas this year.
The aviation industry, known for its high carbon footprint, continues to expand, which conflicts with global efforts to tackle the climate crisis.
The protest at Frankfurt Airport was the second major disruption in two days by the activist group Last Generation. The day before, five protesters had glued themselves to a taxiway at Cologne-Bonn Airport, causing a three-hour halt and the cancellation of 31 flights.
Similar actions were reported across Europe on Wednesday. In Finland, Norway, Switzerland, and Spain, there were brief disruptions at various airports.
At Helsinki Airport, a protest in the check-in area did not result in delays, while Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport saw a brief disruption in air traffic due to three activists.
In London, police prevented a planned protest at Heathrow Airport, arresting seven members of the group Just Stop Oil along with three other individuals at different locations.
In response to these escalating incidents, the German Cabinet has recently approved a bill to impose stricter penalties for breaches of airport perimeters.
If enacted, the new legislation could impose up to two years in prison for individuals who intentionally enter restricted areas or pose a threat to aviation safety, replacing the current system of fines.
