Climate activists from the Last Generation group brought Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s busiest airport, to a standstill on Thursday, causing over 100 flights to be canceled. The protesters, who are demanding that the German government negotiate a global agreement to exit oil, gas, and coal by 2030, breached the airport’s perimeter fence and made their way onto the runways.
According to federal police, several demonstrators entered the airport in the early morning hours, with six protesters using bicycles and skateboards to reach the runways. The activists then glued themselves to the ground, prompting airport authorities to suspend flight operations temporarily.
The airport announced on social media that flight operations were gradually resuming shortly before 8 a.m., with all runways back in operation shortly afterward. However, the disruption had already caused significant cancellations, with around 140 flights axed – approximately one-tenth of the day’s scheduled flights.
This is the second time in two days that Last Generation has caused disruption at a German airport. On Wednesday, five protesters glued themselves to a taxiway at Cologne-Bonn Airport, resulting in a three-hour halt to flights and the cancellation of 31 flights.
The German government has been facing increasing pressure from climate activists, who have been staging protests at airports across Europe. In response, the German Cabinet has approved legislation that would impose tougher penalties on individuals who break through airport perimeters.
The proposed bill, which still requires approval from lawmakers, would introduce prison sentences of up to two years for those who intentionally intrude on airside areas of airports, endanger civil aviation, or enable others to do so. In some cases, sentences of up to five years could be imposed. Currently, such offenses can only result in fines.
