Climate activists staged a protest at Cologne-Bonn Airport in western Germany, causing a temporary suspension of flights on Wednesday. The activists, affiliated with The Last Generation group, glued themselves to the ground on a taxiway, prompting airport officials to halt flights from taking off or landing for several hours.
According to police reports, five individuals used a mixture of sand and glue to attach themselves to the asphalt on the taxiway early in the morning. The disruption led to flight suspensions at around 5:45 a.m., with normal operations resuming shortly after 9 a.m. as the protesters were removed from the scene.
The activists' protest was part of their call for the German government to engage in negotiations and commit to an international agreement for a complete transition away from oil, gas, and coal usage by the year 2030. This demonstration is just one in a series of airport protests carried out by climate activists in recent times, all aimed at raising awareness about environmental concerns.
In response to such incidents, the German Cabinet recently approved legislation that proposes stricter penalties for individuals who breach airport perimeters. The bill, pending approval by lawmakers, suggests penalties of up to a two-year prison sentence for deliberate intrusions into secure airport areas like taxiways or runways, which pose risks to civil aviation. Current penalties for such actions are limited to fines.
Under the proposed legislation, individuals could face up to five years in prison if they forcibly enter an airport with prohibited items such as weapons, specific knives, or hazardous substances. Additionally, harsher penalties would apply if the intrusion is linked to facilitating or concealing another criminal act.
