270 flights canceled in Frankfurt as environmental activists target airports across Europe

Emergency vehicles stand on a runway at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany, Thursday, July 25, 2024, after a few climate activists glued themselves to the ground blocking air traffic for several hours. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

FRANKFURT, Germany — A total of 270 flights were canceled at Germany's busiest airport Thursday after environmental activists launched a coordinated effort to disrupt air travel across Europe at the height of the summer vacation season to highlight the threat posed by climate change.

Frankfurt Airport said flights were halted for safety reasons after climate activists breached security fences in the early morning. Its runways were back in operation by 7:50 a.m. local time.

By Thursday evening, airport operator Fraport said 270 flights had been canceled out of 1,400 scheduled for the day, German news agency dpa reported.

Police said seven people damaged the perimeter fence and entered the airport premises at 5 a.m., then attached themselves to the tarmac in various places. An eighth person attached themself to the fence. All were detained.

Environmental groups said they planned to target airports around Europe this summer to remind people about the link between fossil fuels, such as those used by airliners, and climate change. The groups are calling for governments to end the extraction and burning of fossil fuels by 2030.

Climate data showed that Monday was the hottest day ever recorded as human-caused climate change continues to drive unprecedented heat and growing weather extremes. Global investments in planet-warming oil and gas are expected to increase by seven per cent this year, according to the International Energy Agency, despite global promises to slash fossil fuel use.

Flying is considered one of the most carbon-intensive activities, but the aviation industry is expected to grow steadily over the coming decades despite efforts to contain the climate crisis.

It was the second time in as many days that a protest by the Last Generation group caused disruption at a German airport.

On Wednesday, five protesters glued themselves to a taxiway at Cologne-Bonn Airport, forcing a roughly three-hour halt to flights. That protest resulted in 31 flights being canceled.

Climate activists staged or attempted similar actions in Finland, Norway, Switzerland and Spain on Wednesday.

At Helsinki Airport, a handful of protesters blocked the main check-in area for about 30 minutes, but police said the demonstration caused no delays to flights or other disruption.

At Oslo’s main Gardermoen airport, three activists managed to enter the runway area early Wednesday, waving banners and disrupting air traffic for about half an hour. Police said there were no major flight delays.

Police in London said Wednesday that they prevented a planned protest at Heathrow Airport. Seven members of the group known as Just Stop Oil were arrested at Heathrow and three others were taken into custody at other locations as part of an “intelligence-led” operation, the Metropolitan Police Service said in a statement.

One of those arrested in London was Sean Callaghan, 29, who described himself as an environmental educator.

“I’m taking action at airports this summer because it is impossible for me to see a way in which we can inspire and enthuse students about the future of our planet,″ Callaghan said in a video posted on social media.

Last week, the German Cabinet approved legislation that would impose tougher penalties on people who break through airport perimeters.

The bill, which still requires approval by lawmakers, foresees punishment ranging up to a two-year prison sentence for people who intentionally intrude on airside areas of airports such as taxiways or runways, endanger civil aviation, or enable someone else to. Currently such intrusions only draw a fine.