Germany’s Frankfurt Airport was hit by major disruptions on Thursday, with more than one in 10 flights at the major European transport hub cancelled after activists from the climate group Last Generation glued themselves to the runways.
The protest led to the cancellation of about 170 of the 1,400 scheduled flights at Germany’s largest airport, operator Fraport said, and passengers were told to expect delays for the rest of the day.
The runways were cleared for flight operations at 07:50 (05:50 GMT), just under three hours after eight people entered the airport grounds and clung to the apron and a fence.
A Fraport spokesperson condemned the protest, saying “the perpetrators face severe penalties and large civil claims for damages.”
The eight activists gained access to the fenced-off airport grounds around 5 a.m., police said. One of them became trapped on the fence, while the seven others managed to breach the security perimeter and cling to the two central runways.
After being removed from the asphalt, the activists were handed over to the Hesse state police.
Last generation behind stunt
Following a similar incident at Germany’s Cologne/Bonn airport last Wednesday, which led to a three-hour flight stop, Last Generation again claimed responsibility for the breach.
“The continued extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal threatens our very existence,” the group posted on X, calling for an end to fossil fuel use by 2030.
According to the group, six people had cut through the chain-link fence and walked, cycled or skated to various spots on the runway, where they had placed signs reading “Oil Kills.”
Long lines formed at Lufthansa airline counters in the airport terminals, while the airport offered free water to travelers.
With delays expected throughout the day, passengers were asked to check the status of their flight before heading to the airport.
Strict condemnation
Hesse State Prime Minister Boris Rhein sharply criticized the disruptive action.
“These irresponsible and criminal climate radicals are only interested in causing as much damage as possible,” Rhein posted on X. “And that at the expense of thousands of holidaymakers who are looking forward to a few days of vacation. Anyone who endangers safety in this way must be severely punished.”
Transport Minister Volker Wissing told the Bild newspaper: “Legislators must respond to this with the utmost severity. We have already introduced tougher penalties for such criminal behaviour.”
The cabinet decided last week to tighten the penalties for air traffic disruption. However, parliament still has to vote on the proposal.
The Fraport spokesman said that there are more than 30 kilometres of fencing at Frankfurt Airport, which is technically secured and monitored by patrols.
Further disruption in Stuttgart
Last Generation also targeted Stuttgart Airport on Thursday, with several activists holding protests in the terminal as passengers headed out for their summer vacation.
According to an airport spokeswoman, flight operations were no different as protesters climbed onto raised platforms such as ticket counters in two terminals.
According to police, eight people were involved in the peaceful protest.
Last Generation took responsibility for the action and said it wanted to make a statement against the growth of air traffic, the airport’s climate strategy and the German government’s inability to phase out fossil fuels.
