There was a significant disruption to air traffic at Cologne/Bonn Airport on the morning of July 24, 2024, caused by an action by the climate activist group "Last Generation". The activists had glued themselves to a taxiway at the airport, which led to a temporary suspension of all air traffic.

This action is part of an international protest campaign calling for a rapid phase-out of fossil fuels by 2030. The police evacuation and the subsequent resumption of flight operations caused numerous delays and cancellations, while the airport company and the police are preparing to prosecute the activists.

The course of the action and its effects

In the early hours of the morning, around 5:45 a.m., several activists from the group "Last Generation" entered the grounds of Cologne/Bonn Airport by cutting through a fence. They went close to the runways and stuck themselves to one of the taxiways to underline their demands for an immediate phase-out of fossil fuels. This deliberate disruption meant that all air traffic at the airport had to be stopped. Operations could only resume after the police had cleared the airport and removed the activists from the runway.

A spokesperson for the airport reported that it would take several hours to get a full overview of the number of flights affected and the extent of the delays and cancellations. It is expected that the impact could affect the entire day's flight schedule as delays and flight cancellations add up. Cologne/Bonn Airport is an important transport hub that is of great importance for both passenger and freight traffic. The disruption to operations therefore had far-reaching consequences for travelers and companies.

Background to the protest action

The Last Generation group said that the action was part of a larger, internationally coordinated campaign to draw attention to the urgent need for radical change in energy policy. The aim is to encourage governments around the world to rapidly phase out the use of fossil fuels in order to meet climate targets and prevent further global warming. The activists are calling for a complete abandonment of fossil fuels by 2030, a goal that is significantly more ambitious than the current plans of many countries.

This protest in Cologne/Bonn was part of a global movement in which similar actions were planned at airports in more than ten countries. Oslo Airport also reported a protest in the morning that took place in front of the passenger checkpoint. This coordinated approach shows the increasing networking and international character of the climate movement, which is organizing itself across national borders and making its demands forcefully known.

Legal consequences and reactions

After the activists were evicted by the police, several criminal charges were filed. These include allegations of dangerous interference with air traffic, trespassing and violations of the assembly law. Those involved must now expect legal consequences, which could result in prison sentences depending on the severity of the crime.

Reactions to the action are mixed. While some emphasize the urgency of the climate crisis and support the protests as a necessary means of raising awareness, others criticize the actions as irresponsible and dangerous. The disruption of air traffic and the associated inconvenience for travelers and companies are seen by many as disproportionate, especially since air traffic is already heavily regulated by strict security precautions.

The protest action of the "Last Generation" at Cologne/Bonn Airport is another expression of the increasing civil disobedience in the context of the climate debate. It shows that parts of society are prepared to take drastic measures to advance their concerns. At the same time, it raises questions about the appropriateness of such actions and the limits of protest. Given the global climate crisis and the urgent need to take effective measures to reduce CO2 emissions, such actions are likely to continue to grow in relevance and frequency. The challenge is to find a dialogue that both recognizes the urgency of the climate crisis and respects the social order.