16 August 2007
Biggin Hill Airport in Kent was this morning targeted by protesters hoping to raise awareness of climate change and the contribution which they allege aviation makes towards it.
The protesters chained themselves to the gates of the airport, through which passengers would normally enter. However, the airport opened another entrance for passengers and disruption was said to be minimal. Clubs and schools on the airfield said that they hadn’t had any problems during the course of the protest.
In the end, 10 protesters were arrested; 7 apparently had to be cut from their chains.
They targeted Biggin Hill, it seems, because of the large number of private jet flights which operate from there – the brunt of the protesters’ anger seems to be at the ‘super-rich’ who use these jets, they claim, without thought of the environment.
Of course, this view ignores the fact that successive generations of jets (and other aircraft) are becoming increasingly efficient and environmentally-friendly.
Farnborough Airport in Hampshire – another popular private jet hub – also had a peaceful protest this morning, again with minimal disruption.
