Operations up and running again

Climate stickers bring Frankfurt Airport to a standstill

(Bild: APA/dpa/Arne Dedert)

Air traffic at Frankfurt Airport was temporarily suspended on Thursday morning due to an action by climate activists. A spokesperson for the German Federal Police announced that several demonstrators from the "Last Generation" group had entered the airport grounds early in the morning and stuck themselves there. Air traffic has now been resumed.

All four runways are now open again and operations are being ramped up again, said a spokesperson for the operator Fraport on Thursday morning. A total of around 1400 flights had been planned over Frankfurt. "Around 140 flights have been canceled so far," explained Germany's largest airport.

Delays in operations are also to be expected for the rest of the day. "Passengers are asked to check their flight status on the airlines' websites before traveling to the airport."

The "Last Generation" claimed to be responsible for the blockade. Six activists had reached various points around the runways early in the morning.

"We are doing everything we can to remove the climate activists from the apron," said a spokesperson shortly after the disruption began. However, he spoke of a "double-digit" number of activists.

The activists had cut openings in a wire mesh fence with small pliers to gain access. They had reached various places around the runways on foot, bicycles and skateboards. Photos showed an activist with a banner reading "Oil kills".

"Do not come to the airport"
 "Due to an ongoing demonstration at the airport, flights are currently suspended. Passengers are requested not to proceed to the airport for the time being. Instead, you are advised to check the status of your flight before going to the airport and allow extra time for your journey," the airport informed travelers early in the morning.

Numerous disruptive actions
As recently as Wednesday, climate activists paralyzed Cologne/Bonn Airport and announced further disruptive actions. Also on Wednesday, activists held a rally in the check-in area at Vienna-Schwechat Airport and spilled paint.

In a statement, the "Last Generation" group reiterated its demand from the previous day to "help shape and sign a legally binding international agreement that regulates the global phase-out of oil, gas and coal by 2030".