Because of climate activists and troublemakers
Government tightens airport security rules
17.07.2024, 16:53
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Climate activists have repeatedly broken into the airports in Berlin and Munich and caused operations to be suspended. The federal government is now introducing a reform that could result in prison sentences for such acts.
The Federal Cabinet has decided to tighten the Aviation Security Act in order to prevent radical climate activists and other troublemakers from carrying out dangerous actions at airports. “Anyone who enters airport premises, sticks themselves to runways and thus massively disrupts air traffic is not only risking their own life,” explained Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser. Such incidents are also dangerous for many bystanders. Transport Minister Volker Wissing said: “I am counting on this tightening of the law to deter activists and to avoid disruptions during the current peak travel season.”
The core of the planned reform, which the Bundestag still has to decide on, is the creation of a new regulation that criminalizes “intentional, unauthorized intrusion” onto the taxiway and runways, among other things – especially if this compromises the safety of civil aviation.
Anyone who cuts through a fence and then blocks a runway will in future face a prison sentence of up to two years or a fine. Even attempting to do so will be punishable. Up to now, only a fine was due in such cases.
Intentional, unauthorized entry into the part of the airport that experts call “airside” will in future be punishable by up to five years in prison if someone is carrying a weapon or poisonous substances or if the aim is to facilitate or conceal another crime.
The police union (GdP) welcomed the planned reform, but stressed that this was not enough. In the view of GdP Vice President Sven Hüber, airport operators must improve technical protection. “The long fences around airports can hardly be monitored completely with manpower alone.” It is therefore important to invest more in surveillance and alarm technology. The union also spoke out in favor of legally anchored, nationwide uniform security standards. There have been unauthorised actions by climate protection activists at Munich and Berlin-Brandenburg airports, among others.