Key facts
- Protesters blocked key routes to Berlin's ILA air show on Wednesday.
- Dozens of police were on site, with officers seen removing protesters.
- Hundreds of attendees were forced to walk to the venue as buses could not reach.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz was expected to attend the event.
- The ILA air show features over 750 exhibitors from 37 countries.
Protesters disrupted the start of Berlin's ILA air show on Wednesday, blocking roads with slogans such as "Free Palestine" and forcing many attendees to walk to the venue. Dozens of police were present, with officers seen removing protesters. Buses were unable to reach the site, impacting hundreds of visitors.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz was scheduled to attend the industry showcase, which traces its roots back to 1909 and runs from June 10-14. This year's event features over 750 exhibitors from 37 countries.
The run-up to the air show was overshadowed by the cancellation of a flagship Franco-German fighter jet project, highlighting challenges in Europe's defense sector. Separately, climate activists from the group Last Generation staged protests at several German airports on Thursday, demanding a global exit from fossil fuels by 2030. These protests led to temporary flight suspensions at some airports, and German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser condemned the actions as dangerous.