Cologne/Bonn Airport announced on Thursday morning that it was temporarily suspending operations following an “unauthorized intrusion.” Police said a hole had been cut in the perimeter fence.

The airport is one of Germany’s busiest passenger hubs. Later on Thursday, Nuremberg also confirmed that operations had been suspended due to a protest.

Climate activists from the “Last Generation” had announced demonstrations at several German airports this week.

They posted footage of themselves blocking the runway in Cologne and Stuttgart. The group also claimed to be blocking traffic in Berlin.

Last Generation calls for oil phase-out

“Billions of human lives are at stake right now. Climate collapse is already a reality for many people,” the activists wrote on the social media site X. “We still have the privilege of being able to do something about it here. Please join OIL KILLS!”

Last Generation was founded in 2021 – the name is a reference to the activists who see themselves as the last generation before the earth reaches the tipping point and collapses into climate change.

In Germany, their protests have focused mainly on blocking roads and runways in order to influence transport policy. They also want Germany to sign an international agreement to phase out the use of fossil fuels by 2030.

es/rm (AFP, dpa)