In Frankfurt, Germany, 270 flights were canceled at the country’s busiest airport as environmental activists disrupted air travel to raise awareness about climate change. The activists breached security fences, causing flights to be halted for safety reasons. By the evening, 270 out of 1,400 scheduled flights were canceled. The activists are calling for an end to the extraction and burning of fossil fuels by 2030.
The protest at Frankfurt Airport was part of a coordinated effort by environmental groups across Europe to target airports and highlight the link between fossil fuels and climate change. Despite global promises to reduce fossil fuel use, investments in oil and gas are expected to increase this year. The aviation industry, which is considered carbon-intensive, continues to grow steadily, contributing to the climate crisis.
This was not the first protest by environmental activists at German airports. The day before the Frankfurt protest, demonstrators disrupted flights at Cologne-Bonn Airport, resulting in 31 cancellations. Similar protests were also staged or attempted in Finland, Norway, Switzerland, and Spain. In London, a planned protest at Heathrow Airport was prevented by police, leading to the arrest of several activists.
Last week, the German Cabinet approved legislation that would impose stricter penalties on individuals who breach airport perimeters, endanger civil aviation, or disrupt airport operations. The bill includes provisions for up to a two-year prison sentence for such offenses, in addition to fines. The protests at airports are part of a wider movement to raise awareness about the urgent need to address climate change.