GERMANY: On the first day of the school’s summer vacations season, Thursday, a runway at Hamburg Airport was blocked by climate activists early in the morning. As a result, many flights were cancelled.
According to the group Last Generation, many of its members infiltrated the Hamburg airport premises at around 6 am (0400 GMT) and glued themselves to the runway. The airport’s operators stated that it is currently impossible to anticipate when operations will be able to restart.
Approximately dozens of flights had to be cancelled and 10 arrivals were divereted, according to the German news agency. It is possible that there will be more postponements and cancellations.
Members of a group broke through a security fence at Dusseldorf Airport, blocking a runway access path. They obstructed a runway access path, delaying many flights before they could resume. Police and security staff attempt to separate activists from the group Last Generation who have adhered themselves to the runway.
They criticised the German government for lacking a climate plan and demanded immediate action to reduce emissions in the transportation industry, including the abolition of tax breaks for aviation paraffin. Aviation accounts for a significant portion of global emissions.
The European Commission estimates that if the sector were a nation, it would be among the top 10 polluters worldwide. Senior members of the German administration denounced and urged an end to the protests.
The Last Generation engages in criminal behaviour rather than safeguarding the climate, according to transport minister Volker Wissing. In recent years, he has opposed numerous plans to reduce emissions from air and road travel.
Considering the disruption caused by the group’s roadblocks, Last Generation claims that its protests are peaceful, despite the fact that some motorists have attacked the activists.
On the basis of allegations that they were creating or assisting a criminal organisation, German authorities conducted raids on the residences of a number of the group’s members in May.
Also Read: PM Modi Embarks on 2-Day Visit to France, Focuses on Defense Deals and Space Operations
