London Heathrow Airport Could Be Next Victim of Protests

After the protests at the Stansted Airport on Monday morning, 5 people were charged with aggravated trespassing, 7 were released on bail, and over 40 have been kept in police custody. Plane Stupid, the environmental group, said that they organized the protest in order to make everyone aware of the impact a second runway at the airport would have.

Leyla Deen, one of Plane Stupid’s members, said that they intend to keep challenging the airport expansion directly, with London Heathrow Airport planned for a repeat protest. They only have 7 years to start getting carbon emissions lowered in Britain, she continued, and they are still increasing now. She also added that it is the responsible choice.

In the group’s protest on Monday, over 50 of their members used wire cutters to enter the airport and chained theirselves together close by the runway. It took several hours for the police to free the demonstrators so that the airport could continue running as usual. The activists were taken away on a shuttle bus.

The airport closing cause the biggest European budget carrier, Ryanair, to cancel 52 of their flights. The airline has called for an investigation of the incident, which they say resulted in an unacceptable disruption to thousands of passengers’ travel plans. The British Airports Authority has taken some criticism from the incident, since the airport security failed to remove the protesters. A security review has been confirmed to be underway.

Plane Stupid says that a repeat demonstration is planned for the London Heathrow Airport in order to protest against a 3^rd runway expansion. Geoff Hoon, the Transport Secretary, is to announced in January if the runway will get the green light.

Find out more about the airport at: www.heathrowairport.com