Quiet protest at Schwechat airport

Climate activists from the so-called “last generation” protested to get out of dependence on oil for energy, but they remained cautious. They held an unannounced march in the arrivals area of ​​Terminal 3. Apart from individual transfers of passengers, airport operations continued without disruption and there were no flight delays.

According to airport spokesman Peter Kleiman, the activists did not attempt to board the runway. The media outcry by “Last Generation” led to a heavy security presence today, and the airport had previously announced lawsuits against the climate activists.

Photo series with two pictures

Although the “Last Generation” announced the action at 11 a.m., the demonstration was not properly registered, according to police spokesman Johann Baumschläger. Accordingly, identities were established during several procedures at the airport, and according to him, the activists will be reported for administrative violations. “It was important for us that they did not come to the runway,” Baumschläger said.

Demand for climate protection

First, about 50 participants gathered in the entrance hall of Terminal 3, giving speeches, among other things. Several protesters held up signs reading “Oil kills.” The activists then split into several small groups and blocked individual roads in the airport. Some of the “last generation” also held their ground.

The aim was to close Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, Baumschlager said. Police responded by diverting passengers. Several people expressed their disapproval of the “Last Generation” campaign. “The fact that airports continue to operate this way risks the survival of all of us,” activist Anja Wendel said, describing her motivation for the protest to the APA.

Throughout the entire operation, the “last generation” was monitored, accompanied and filmed by police. According to Baumschlager, there were uniformed and plainclothes officers on site. The situation was also monitored using a police helicopter, drones and video recordings.

When protesters tried to block the train exits, emergency services pulled some away. In light of the protest, an airport spokesman explained: “In the event of damage, we will exhaust all possible legal steps.” Kleiman said the last activists left the airport at around 1:30 p.m.

Work notices on Wednesday

Meanwhile, Flughafen Wien AG has issued notices against the eight protesting activists on Wednesday – more on this in color: Vandalism at the airport (noe.ORF.at; July 24, 2024). They are accused of damaging property, holding an unauthorized meeting, disturbing public order and various violations of airport operating rules, Kleemann said on Saturday. Civil proceedings will also be taken against the eight activists who poured paint and delayed the departure of the plane, Kleemann announced.

The emergency services and the airport expected major problems for air travelers on Saturday. The activists announced in a press release and on social media that they wanted to disrupt air traffic in several countries, including Austria. There have been numerous measures in German-speaking countries in the past few days. In addition to the disruption on the Vienna-Schwechat flight, several flights were cancelled at Cologne/Bonn Airport on Wednesday because activists stuck to the runway. The suspension of air traffic at Frankfurt am Main Airport on Thursday had the same reason – more on this in Due to the protests: Flights at Schwechat also affected (noe.ORF.at; July 25, 2024).

From a political perspective, Lower Austria's governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP) spoke out on Saturday. She “has absolutely no understanding of those anarchists who have advertised their mischief at Schwechat airport in the media and want to spoil our citizens' vacation.” She also called the activists criminals: “You are not climate heroes, you are criminals. Anyone who disrupts air traffic should be behind bars.”