Just Stop Oil is targeting summer holidays across Europe as nine activists have been arrested at Heathrow airport.
The group of eco clowns have vowed to use ‘all means necessary’ to disrupt holidays this season as they launched their latest airport campaign.
It comes as a German climate activist group that caused flight cancellations at Cologne-Bonn airport by gluing themselves to the runway said similar disruptions to push for an end to fossil fuels were planned over the next few weeks globally.
‘That was just the beginning today. Over the next few weeks we will repeat this in Germany, Europe and globally,’ a member of the Last Generation activist group said in a media briefing.
Nine arrests in two locations have been made at Heathrow this morning, with video footage showing the group turning up on bikes before being detained.
Meanwhile, in Switzerland, eleven activists have blocked main roads around both Zurich and Geneva airport.
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Five eco activists for Futuro Vegetal in Spain accessed the taxiway at Barcelona airport but were intercepted before they could take action.
Officers at Heathrow swooped in before the activists gained any unauthorised entry to the airport or the airfield, it is understood, saving passengers travelling on their summer holidays from facing disruption.
The Met Police said in a statement: ‘Nine Just Stop Oil activists have been arrested this morning for conspiring to disrupt Heathrow Airport.
‘Thanks to the work of officers involved, those arrested have been taken into custody and the Met has prevented significant disruption to the airport and travelling public.’
JSO activist Sean Callaghan, 29, was one of the nine people arrested at Heathrow today.
In a video posted by the eco group, Callaghan said: ‘I went into environmental education because with my life, I wanted to inspire, enthuse, and motivate students about the natural world and the outside environment.
‘I’m taking action with Just Stop Oil at airports this summer because it is impossible for me to see a way in which we can inspire and enthuse students about the future of our planet.’
Sally Davidson, who was also arrested at Heathrow Airport, said: ‘Our new government must take swift and meaningful action to end the extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030, by establishing a legally binding treaty to phase out fossil fuels. Anything less is a death sentence.’
Adam Beard, who was also arrested, said: ‘We need immediate and decisive action to prevent the worst effects of the climate crisis becoming reality, with all the death and suffering that will bring.
‘Our government must work with other nations to enact a treaty to end the extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030.’
A Heathrow spokesman said: ‘Thanks to swift action from the police and airport colleagues, there is no disruption to passenger journeys. Heathrow continues to operate as normal today.
‘We are in full agreement that the aviation industry needs to decarbonise, but unlawful and irresponsible protest activity will not be tolerated.’
Heathrow Airport said a record 39.8 million passengers travelled through its terminals in the first half of the year.
That is up 7.3% from 37.1 million passengers during the same period last year.
In the first half of 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic, the total was 38.8 million.
Despite a fall in half-year revenues of 2.9%, Heathrow swung to an underlying profit of £178million, from a £139million loss a year earlier.
Heathrow chef executive Thomas Woldbye said: ‘Serving record-breaking passenger numbers while continuing to deliver excellent customer service is no easy feat and is testament to the dedication of my hardworking colleagues.
‘In addition to the nearly 40 million passengers that flew through Heathrow during the first six months, so did 765 tonnes of cargo, supporting world leading British industries to access global export markets.
‘We are working hard to deliver economic benefits for all of the UK, but this needs to be supported by joined up policy making that prioritises global competitiveness and sustainable growth.
‘We are encouraged by the new Government’s recognition of Heathrow’s role in powering growth across the country, and look forward to working with ministers to ensure we are firing on all cylinders and retain our global standing.’