Munich Airport Cancels 60 Flights After Climate Activists Breach Airfield Security
On a busy Whitsun holiday weekend, Munich Airport faced significant disruptions as climate activists breached airfield security, resulting in the cancellation of 60 flights and affecting over 100,000 passengers. The incident occurred when six members of the climate protest group Letzte Generation (Last Generation) glued themselves to the runway, leading to the airport's temporary closure.
The protest aimed to draw attention to the German government's perceived inaction on reducing the environmental impact of the airline industry. The activists managed to break through a security fence and proceed to the runway, where their actions necessitated immediate response from airport authorities. Consequently, numerous flights were canceled or diverted, and the airport was shut down for several hours until the situation was resolved and the activists were arrested.
Letzte Generation is notorious for similar disruptive actions, having previously targeted other German airports, including Berlin, Dusseldorf, and Hamburg. Their methods, often involving gluing themselves to surfaces, have led to significant delays and financial repercussions for airlines, such as Lufthansa subsidiary Eurowings, which faced severe delays last year due to similar protests.
In response to the incident, Ralph Beisel, General Manager of the German Airports Association, called for stricter penalties for individuals who breach airport security, emphasizing the severe impact on passengers' travel plans. German officials, including Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, condemned the group's actions. Faeser highlighted the threat such protests pose to air traffic and climate protection efforts, while also praising Munich Airport and local police for their swift and effective response in restoring order.
As Munich Airport resumed normal operations after a two-hour closure, the incident underscored the need for enhanced security measures and raised questions about the balance between protest actions and public safety.