Activists are calling for more climate protection – even in the middle of the night at Saxony’s largest airport. They are primarily targeting freight traffic via one of Europe’s most important hubs.
Climate activists protested at Leipzig/Halle Airport and caused cargo flight operations to be suspended for hours. Shortly after midnight, five of them stuck themselves to the ground in the southern part of the airport, and two others were prevented from doing so, a spokesman for the Federal Police said. At around 5:00 a.m., the activists were released from the ground and removed from the runway. The group “Last Generation” claimed responsibility for the disruptive action. The airport announced that it reserved the right to take legal action.
According to airport spokesman Uwe Schuhart, cargo flight operations had to be suspended for around three hours from around 12:30 a.m. They resumed at 3:23 a.m. Passenger flight operations began with slight delays: According to the website, the first plane took off at 5:41 a.m. – around 15 minutes later than planned.
Transshipment point for millions of tons of freight
Leipzig/Halle Airport claims to be the fourth largest hub for air freight in Europe, handling around 1.4 million tonnes of freight every year. The airport company and logistics service provider DHL announced the long-term extension of their contract until 2053 on Wednesday.
The group “Last Generation” announced that they wanted to use the tarmac to send a message against the increasing air traffic, the planned expansion of airport capacity and the lack of a plan by the federal government to quickly phase out fossil fuels. “The protest is successful when it draws attention to a problem,” said spokesman Christian Bergemann.
In a post by the group on Platform X it says: “Freight traffic is particularly affected by today’s blockade – the night flight ban is being suspended for this.” The post was accompanied by photos showing activists on the tarmac, in at least one case with their hand glued to the ground. Their signs read: “Oil kills.”
The activists are now being investigated for, among other things, unauthorized stay in the security area, trespassing and interference with air traffic, said the Federal Police spokesman, Jens Damrau. They cut a hole in the fence at the airport and thus gained access to the premises. The group was taken into custody. They are three men aged 21, 23 and 25 and four women (21, 23, 25 and 27 years old).
Airport is considering legal action
The airport operator reserves the right to take legal action against the climate activists, said spokesman Schuhart. The extent of the damage caused by the night-time disruption is being investigated.
The airport association ADV sharply criticized the action. The “Last Generation” is using the summer break to get maximum media attention. It is not about a supposedly good cause. The group has so far turned down offers of talks.
According to DHL, 19 cargo planes had to be diverted because of the blockade. Such “irresponsible actions” not only hinder economically relevant activities, but also endanger the lives of the flight crews. The authorities must do everything in their power to prevent such acts, it said.
Promotions at several airports
Last week, climate protesters brought flight operations to a standstill for a few hours at both Frankfurt Airport and Cologne/Bonn Airport. There was also a peaceful protest at Stuttgart Airport without any restrictions on air traffic.
As a result, Leipzig Airport, among others, announced that it would take security precautions. Security forces had been made aware of the situation and would act with increased vigilance, it said. The reporting and alarm chains also worked at night, said spokesman Schuhart. However, the airport has around 40 kilometers of fencing.
Overview of flight connections
Source: Stern
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