Global climate protests target airports: Disruptions in Germany and arrests in UK
A general view of the Cologne-Bonn airport on the day activists Last Generation protest for a change in climate policy in Cologne, Germany. Photo REUTERS
Flights were temporarily suspended at Germany's Cologne-Bonn Airport on Wednesday when members of the climate activist group Last Generation glued themselves to a runway. The group declared this disruption as "just the beginning," hinting at similar protests planned globally in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, in the UK, nine activists from Just Stop Oil were arrested for planning disruptions at Heathrow Airport, one of the world's busiest airports. It remains unclear if the actions in Germany and the UK were coordinated, although Last Generation hinted at targeting British airports among others.
A video posted by Just Stop Oil on X showed British police officers arresting a number of people on a perimeter road just outside a fenced off runway, where planes can be seen taxiing.
Operations at Cologne-Bonn Airport, which ranks as Germany's sixth-largest and is located near the former West German capital, resumed later in the morning after a brief shutdown initiated just before 0400 GMT.
Last Generation broadcast their airport blockade on social media, showing images of activists with their hands glued to the runway. The group demands that the German government commit to phasing out oil, gas, and coal by 2030.
Their spokesperson, Ronja Kuenkler, stated that similar protests are expected in Germany, Europe, and globally in the upcoming weeks.
In addition to the events in Germany and the UK, other related incidents included the brief runway intrusion by three activists at Oslo Airport in Norway, who were promptly apprehended by local police.
London's Heathrow reported the arrest of several protesters without any significant disruption to its operations. Despite these protests, a spokesperson from Heathrow reiterated the airport's commitment to decarbonisation, emphasising that while the goal is shared, unlawful protests are not an acceptable method of advocacy.
Heathrow had previously secured a court injunction to prevent such disruptions, with penalties for violation including imprisonment.