FRANKFURT, Germany (NEWSnet/AP) — Germany’s busiest airport canceled more than 100 flights Thursday as environmental activists launched a coordinated effort to disrupt air travel across Europe.

This effort comes at the height of Europe’s summer travel season and the opening of the Olympics, and is intended to highlight the threat posed by climate change.

Frankfurt Airport said flights were halted for safety reasons after climate activists breached security fences, triggering a response from police, firefighters and airport security officers. All runways were back in operation by 7:50 a.m. local time, it said.

About 140 flights have been cancelled so far, but further disruptions are expected throughout the day, the airport said.

Environmental groups said they planned to target airports around Europe this summer to remind people about the link between fossil fuels, such as those used by airliners, and climate change. The groups are calling for governments around the world to end the extraction and burning of fossil fuels by 2030.

“We sharply condemn these unauthorized demonstrations, and we reserve the right to take legal action against the participants,” Frankfurt Airport said. “Their activities pose severe danger to flight operations – possibly putting human life at risk.”

Flying is considered one of the most carbon-intensive activities, and the aviation industry is expected to grow steadily over the coming decades.

The Last Generation group, which organized the Frankfurt demonstration, said six protesters cut holes in the perimeter fence and headed toward the runways on foot, bicycles and skateboards.

It was the second time in as many days that a protest by Last Generation caused disruption at a German airport. On Wednesday, five protesters glued themselves to a taxiway at Cologne-Bonn Airport, forcing a roughly three-hour halt to flights and 31 flights being canceled.

Protestors staged similar actions Wednesday in Finland, Norway, Switzerland and Spain.

Last week, the German Cabinet approved legislation that would impose tougher penalties on people who break through airport perimeters. The bill still needs approval by lawmakers.

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