Flagship carriers Emirates and Etihad Airways have confirmed that flights between the UAE and Germany remained unaffected by the brief closure of Munich International Airport on Saturday.
Munich Airport Closure
Despite disruptions at the airport, UAE flights operated as scheduled, with no delays or diversions reported.
Spokespersons from both Dubai-based Emirates and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways assured that their flights to and from Munich proceeded without any issues. The carriers maintained their regular schedules, ensuring passengers experienced no disruptions in their travel plans.
Munich International Airport faced a temporary closure due to a security incident involving climate activists. According to reports, activists from the group Last Generation managed to stick themselves to the taxiways, prompting airport authorities to halt operations as a precautionary measure.
Impact on Airport Operations
The closure resulted in some flights being either cancelled or diverted to alternative airports. An airport spokesperson confirmed that after approximately two hours, one of the runways was reopened, followed by the second runway an hour later, allowing normal operations to gradually resume.
Eight climate activists were arrested in connection with the incident. The protest occurred during one of the busiest travel periods at Munich International Airport, significantly impacting the flow of passengers and flights. Last Generation, the climate group responsible for the protest, has a history of similar demonstrations aimed at drawing attention to climate issues. They posted updates and images on X (formerly Twitter), showing members with protest signs on what appeared to be a runway or tarmac.
The last generation confirmed their involvement in the protest through a series of posts on X. The group has been known for conducting such disruptive actions to highlight the urgency of climate change and push for more aggressive environmental policies. Their latest protest at Munich International Airport was intended to bring attention to their cause during a peak travel period.
Despite the temporary closure of Munich International Airport due to climate activist protests, UAE flights operated by Emirates and Etihad Airways were not impacted. Both airlines confirmed that their flights continued as scheduled, ensuring no disruptions for passengers traveling between the UAE and Germany. The swift reopening of the runways and the arrest of the activists allowed the airport to resume normal operations relatively quickly. Last Generation’s protest, part of their ongoing campaign for climate action, drew significant attention but did not affect the flights of the UAE's major carriers.
The incident underscores the importance of robust security measures and contingency plans at major international airports.
Both Emirates and Etihad Airways have demonstrated their ability to adapt swiftly to unforeseen disruptions, ensuring passenger safety and maintaining reliable schedules. Moving forward, such incidents highlight the need for continuous collaboration between airlines, airport authorities, and security agencies to mitigate the impact of protests or other disruptions. Ensuring that passengers can travel with minimal inconvenience remains a top priority, reinforcing the resilience and reliability of global air travel networks amidst increasing challenges.
