Climate activists from the “Letzte Generation” (Last Generation) occupied the runway at Cologne/Bonn Airport in western Germany on Wednesday morning, blocking air traffic.
“This morning, unauthorized persons entered the airport’s security zone. Flights are currently suspended due to a police operation,” the airport’s infrastructure website reported.
Activists have warned that “similar peaceful civil protests” are planned at airports in the UK, Austria, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, the US, Scotland and Norway.
In a statement sent to the press, activists reported on the action at the German airport, justifying it with a demand for the government to facilitate the development and signing of a legally binding international agreement regulating the gradual phase-out of oil, gas and coal worldwide by 2030.
They clarify that the movements participating in the protests jointly support an initiative known as “Oil Kills”, which calls for an international agreement to eliminate fossil fuels.
Activists explain that during their action in Germany, supporters of the “Last Generation” cut the wire fence at the Cologne/Bonn airport in several small groups and headed to the runways, some on bicycles, to stick to the asphalt there with a mixture of sand and glue.
“We need a change of course, an international agreement on a socially just transition away from fossil fuels by 2030. That’s why we’re protesting at airports,” the activists say.