Many European Travelers Frustrated Due To Cancellations and Delays

Climate activism protesters from the ‘Last Generation’ group glued themselves to runways at four German airports. Their actions caused dozens of canceled flights, leaving travelers stranded.

The protests occurred on August 15 at Berlin, Cologne-Bonn, Nuremberg, and Stuttgart airports. They began around 5:00 am local time. Protesters filmed themselves speaking their testimony on the tarmac throughout the day.

"Today’s disruptions at several airports are a concerted act of criminal extortion,” commented ADV managing director Ralph Biese. “This is not a peaceful protest and it is not about supposedly higher goals. These are malicious interventions in air traffic and in the personal rights of every traveler who is unable to take their flight as planned."

This is not the first time the ‘Last Generation’ group has disrupted transportation. Last year, they blocked traffic on a road in Bottrop, Germany, leading to physical conflict with a bystander. Then, last month, they staged protests at two of Germany’s busiest airports. Their protests focus on stopping the use of fossil fuels and solving the climate crisis. With this, they are demanding that the German government negotiate and sign an agreement for a global exit from the use of oil, gas and coal by 2030.

Last month, the German cabinet approved legislation that would impose stricter penalties on protesters like those from the ‘Last Generation.’ It would punish those who intrude on or endanger airport operations to receive up to two years in prison.

The bill has yet to receive formal approval by lawmakers, but it is clear that politicians are getting antsy. Federal Minister of the Interior and Community, Nancy Faeser, took to social media with the statement that “these criminal actions are dangerous and stupid.”

The organization stated that eight activists who were involved in the protest were taken into custody. Later in the day, all of them were released.

FMI: www.koeln-bonn-airport.de