Cologne, Germany — Cologne-Bonn Airport faced significant disruptions on Wednesday morning as climate activist protesters glued themselves to the tarmac, prompting a suspension of all flight operations.
The incident, which unfolded at around 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT), led to a temporary halt in airport activities as police intervened.
Authorities reported that “unauthorized individuals” had gained access to the airfield, leading to immediate action by law enforcement.
The airport announced that inbound flights were being diverted to nearby airports while police worked to clear the protestors. The situation was resolved by 09:15 local time (07:15 GMT), with flights gradually resuming.
However, the airport warned passengers to expect delays and cancellations throughout the day, urging them to check with airlines or tour operators for the latest updates.
The protest was organized by the climate activist group Last Generation, which claimed responsibility for the action.
In a statement, the group revealed that five activists had glued themselves to the tarmac, with images released showing a member with his hands secured to the taxiway.
Last Generation has called for the German government to lead global efforts to phase out oil, gas, and coal by 2030.
This disruption at Cologne-Bonn Airport is part of a broader pattern of climate-related protests targeting major transportation hubs. The group announced plans for similar actions across Europe and North America on the same day.
In Helsinki, protesters blocked security gates at Vantaa Airport, while in Barcelona, activists from Oil Kills were intercepted at El Prat Airport.
Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport also experienced a security breach, with three activists cutting through a perimeter fence before being removed shortly after. Airport officials discovered an angle grinder near the breach.
Cologne-Bonn Airport, Germany’s sixth-busiest airport, is known for handling substantial passenger traffic. The incident follows a similar protest in May at Munich Airport, where six climate activists glued themselves to a runway.
That disruption caused the closure of the runway for two hours, leading to the diversion of 11 flights and approximately 60 cancellations. In response to the Munich incident, Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced a review of security measures at the airport.
As climate activism increasingly targets transportation hubs, the impact on travel and airport operations is becoming more pronounced.
The Cologne-Bonn incident highlights the ongoing tension between environmental advocacy and public infrastructure, underscoring the challenges faced by airports in managing both security and operational continuity.
Passengers affected by Wednesday’s disruption are advised to stay informed through their airlines and to anticipate potential delays and cancellations.
The broader implications of these protests continue to unfold as climate activists push for urgent action on global environmental policies.
