The German government wants to prevent radical climate activists and other protesters from carrying out dangerous actions at German airports. It wants to do this by tightening the German Aviation Safety Act.
According to government sources, a bill by Interior Minister Nancy Faeser will be discussed by the Council of Ministers on Wednesday.
The core of the planned reform, which still needs to be approved by the Bundestag (Germany’s lower house of parliament), is the introduction of a new regulation that would criminalise “intentional and unauthorised entry” onto the apron and runways if this endangers the safety of civil aviation.
For example, anyone who cuts through a fence and then blocks a runway will face a prison sentence of up to two years or a fine. Attempts to do so will also be punishable. Previously, only a fine was due in such cases.
Intentional and unauthorized entry into this part of the airport is punishable by up to five years in prison if someone is carrying a weapon or poisonous substances, or if it is intended to facilitate or conceal another criminal offense.
Climate activists blocked Munich Airport at the start of the Bavarian Whitsun holiday, causing significant disruption to holiday traffic.
According to the German Airport Association, more than 100,000 passengers were affected. Several planes that were supposed to land at Germany’s second-largest airport had to be diverted.
The activists had clung to feeder taxiways next to the runways. According to spokesmen for the airport and the federal police, the airport was temporarily closed for security reasons.
