Climate activists from the Last Generation movement staged a disruptive protest at Munich Airport on Saturday, causing significant flight cancellations and delays. The activists glued themselves to a runway, temporarily closing the airport and affecting around 60 flights during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.
The protest aimed to highlight the environmental impact of air travel and criticize government subsidies for the airline industry. Activists displayed signs that read, “Problem is the government, not our holiday,” expressing their belief that government policies are not doing enough to address climate change.
Initially, all flights were canceled or diverted, causing widespread inconvenience for travelers. Police eventually arrested eight activists, and one runway was reopened later in the day, but delays continued. The airport, which expected to handle over 350,000 passengers over the weekend, was fully closed for nearly two hours.
Germany’s interior minister, Nancy Faeser, condemned the activists’ actions, calling for increased security measures at airports. Transport Minister Volker Wissing suggested new laws to punish such actions with up to two years in prison. The Last Generation movement has a history of staging similar protests across Germany to draw attention to what they see as insufficient government action on climate change.
The disruption at Munich Airport highlights the ongoing tension between climate activists and authorities, as well as the broader debate over environmental policy and transportation subsidies. The activists’ actions sparked discussions about the effectiveness of such disruptive protests and the balance between the right to protest and the need to maintain the safety and efficiency of air travel.
