More than 100 flights cancelled in Germany as environmental activists target airports

Frankfurt, Germany — Germany’s busiest airport canceled more than 100 flights on Thursday as environmental activists launched a coordinated effort to disrupt air travel across Europe in the middle of the summer holiday season to highlight the threat posed by climate change.

Frankfurt Airport said flights were suspended for security reasons after climate activists breached security fences, prompting a response from police, firefighters and airport security officers. All runways were back operational by 7:50 a.m. local time, he said. About 140 flights have been canceled so far, but more disruptions are expected throughout the day, the airport said.

Environmental groups said they planned to target Europe’s airports this summer to remind people of the link between fossil fuels, such as those used by airplanes, and climate change. The groups are calling on governments around the world to end the extraction and burning of fossil fuels by 2030.

“We strongly condemn these unauthorized demonstrations and reserve the right to take legal action against participants,” Frankfurt Airport said. “Their activities pose a serious danger to air operations and possibly put human life at risk.”

Climate data showed that Monday was the hottest day ever recorded as human-caused climate change continues to cause unprecedented heat and increasing extreme weather events. Global investments in planet-warming oil and gas are expected to rise 7% this year. according to the International Energy Agencydespite global promises to drastically reduce the use of fossil fuels.

Flying is considered one of the most carbon-intensive activities, but the aviation industry is expected to grow steadily in the coming decades despite efforts to contain the climate crisis.

He Last generation The group that organized the Frankfurt demonstration said six protesters punched holes in the perimeter fence and headed toward the slopes on foot, bicycle and skateboard.

It was the second time in two days that a Last Generation protest sparked unrest at a German airport.

On Wednesday, five protesters stuck to a taxiway in Cologne-Bonn Airport, which forced flights to be suspended for approximately three hours. That protest resulted in the cancellation of 31 flights. There were other protests or attempted protests in other European countries.

Climate activists carried out similar actions on Wednesday in Finland, Norway, Switzerland and Spain.

At Helsinki airport, a handful of protesters blocked the main check-in area for about 30 minutes, but police said the demonstration did not cause flight delays or other disruptions.

At Oslo’s main Gardermoen airport, three activists managed to enter the runway area early Wednesday morning, waving banners and disrupting air traffic for about half an hour. Police said there were no major flight delays.

London police said Wednesday they prevented a planned protest at Heathrow airport that could have had a significant impact on Europe’s largest airport. Seven members of the group known as Just Stop Oil were arrested at Heathrow and three others were detained elsewhere as part of an “intelligence-led” operation, the Metropolitan Police Service said in a statement.

One of those arrested in London was Sean Callaghan, 29, who described himself as an environmental educator.

“I’m taking action at airports this summer because I can’t see a way we can inspire and excite students about the future of our planet,” Callaghan said in a video posted to social media.

Last week, the German Cabinet approved legislation that impose harsher penalties on people who cross the airport perimeters.

The bill, which still requires the approval of legislators, provides for penalties of up to two years in prison for people who intentionally intrude into the air areas of airports, such as taxiways or runways, endangering civil aviation. or allow someone else to do it. Currently, these types of intrusions only carry a fine.