In a press release, the activists announced that they wanted to disrupt air traffic in several countries, including Austria. There have already been several actions in German-speaking countries in recent days.
On Wednesday, four members of the “Last Generation” spilled paint in the entrance hall of Vienna-Schwechat Airport. At Cologne/Bonn Airport, several flights were cancelled on the same day because activists had stuck themselves onto the tarmac. The same reason was given for the suspension of air traffic at Frankfurt am Main Airport on Thursday.
“Special measures in response to announcement”
According to the announcement, the group plans to hold its protest at 11 a.m. in the entrance hall at Vienna Airport. Vienna Airport CEO Günther Ofner said at a press conference on Tuesday that 670 police officers were on site “on full alert” and that the area was also being monitored with drones, said Ofner. The almost 24 kilometers of airport fence could not be protected in any other way without electronic surveillance. These are “special measures in response to the announcement,” even though security is a high priority at the airport all year round, said Ofner.
The Lower Austria State Police Directorate told the APA that “further precautions have been taken in terms of personnel” due to the calls and announcements. The airport area is permanently monitored by video and electronically.