Protestors ‘give holidaymakers advance notice’ they’ll shut down Heathrow
Climate change protestors Extinction Rebellion are threatening to disrupt summer holiday plans by shutting down Heathrow Airport for 11 days in June and July.
The group claimed it will use drones to shut down the airport and will kick off its campaign with a one-day demonstration on June 18, followed by 10 days from July 1.
Activists will stop their protests only if the Government cancels its plans for extending the airport.
A group spokesman said it was ‘fully committed to non-violence’ and it ‘would not take action that would put airline passengers at risk’, but Heathrow said the plans were ‘reckless’.
If the plans go ahead, thousands of people each day will be affected. Around 1,400 flights take off and land each day at Heathrow, with over 200,000 people boarding or disembarking.
Extinction Rebellion said: "If the Government does not cancel all Heathrow expansion, Extinction Rebellion will act to shut the airport down for up to 10 days from July 1.
"Extinction Rebellion is in the consultancy stage with its members on the proposed action.
"Holidaymakers are being given advance notice to change travel plans."
"We understand the action will cause disruption to a great many holidaymakers, however we believe that it is necessary given the prospect of far greater disruption caused by ecological and societal collapse, if we don’t act now."
In a statement, Heathrow said: "This is reckless action that if carried out could endanger the lives of the travelling public and our colleagues.
"We agree with the need to act on climate change, but that requires us to work together constructively – not commit serious criminal offences just as hard-working people prepare to spend a well-earned holiday with their family and friends."
Aviation minister Baroness Vere warned: "Flying drones near and airport is a serious criminal offence and using drones to deliberately put people’s safety at risk carries a maximum life sentence."
Last month, a small group of activists demonstrated at Heathrow as part of a wider protest mainly targeting central London, but did not cause distruption.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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