Climate activists disrupt traffic at four German airports

Credit: Thilo Schmuelgen/Reuters

In a co-ordinated protest on 15 August 2023, climate activists from the group Letzte Generation (Last Generation) temporarily disrupted operations at four major airports in Germany: Cologne Bonn, Nuremberg, Berlin and Stuttgart. The group’s action involved unfurling banners with the message “Oil kills” and gluing themselves to the taxiways at these airports.

The group claimed that eight activists participated in the protest, with two individuals at each airport. The demonstrations led to significant delays at Nuremberg and Cologne Bonn airports, where flight operations were impacted for approximately two hours. However, at Berlin and Stuttgart airports, the activists were quickly removed by police, and air traffic remained largely unaffected.

Following the protests, all eight activists have been arrested. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser criticised the actions, stating, “These criminal actions are dangerous and stupid. The rioters are not only risking their own lives, but are also endangering others.”

Last Generation is recognised for its high-profile protests aimed at raising awareness about climate change. This recent action follows a similar protest in July 2024, when activists disrupted traffic at Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s busiest, by gluing themselves to the runway.

The group’s ongoing demands include a global commitment to phase out the use of oil, gas and coal by 2030, reflecting its broader campaign to address climate change through direct and visible means.