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Climate activists of the Last Generation at Düsseldorf Airport (on July 13, 2023)
Photo: David Young / dpa
The Lufthansa Group is demanding damages after the airport blockades by the Last Generation. The intention is to assert claims for all airlines in the group, said a spokeswoman for the group in Frankfurt am Main.
These include dozens of flights that were cancelled on July 13 of this year during blockades in Düsseldorf and Hamburg, as well as a climate protest on November 24, 2022 at Berlin's capital airport. With their protest, the activists wanted to draw attention to the negative climate impact of aviation.
Lufthansa did not comment on the amount of damage. However, this is likely to run into the millions of euros. That's what aviation expert Gerald Wissel told the "Rheinische Post". At the Lufthansa subsidiary Eurowings alone, 55 flights were cancelled on the three days in question. In addition, there are flights operated by the Group companies Austrian, Swiss and Lufthansa. Düsseldorf Airport had also announced its intention to enforce its claims.
In all three actions, members of the Last Generation were arrested after they had glued themselves to the runways. The police started investigations against the persons, who are now also eligible as defendants for the claims for damages.
In contrast to road traffic blockades, it may be easier to calculate economic damage at airports. The airlines Condor and TUIfly are also examining their claims, but have not yet commented on the question of whether they actually want to sue.
wit/dpa