Heathrow Airport has been named as a target by climate change movement Extinction Rebellion. The group have threatened to close the busy hub for up to 11 days this summer. The first day of proposed action comes in two weeks on 18 June with further disruption planned for the beginning of July. So what will the action from Extinction Rebellion mean for you? Will flights be affected?
Extinction Rebellion Heathrow Airport: Will flights be affected by protests this summer?
Extinction Rebellion is demanding Heathrow cancel any airport expansion.
The group - who intend to fly drones to halt operations - released a statement online announcing their plans for June and July.
It said: “On June 18, we plan to carry out nonviolent direct action to ensure Heathrow Authorities close the airport for the day, to create a ‘pause’ in recognition of the genocidal impact of high carbon activities, such as flying, upon the natural world.
“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 opposed to the planned third runway at Heathrow as it would make the airport “the single biggest carbon emitter in the UK.”
The Met Police have warned the climate change group that using drones at Heathrow would be “reckless in the extreme.”
Heathrow Airport: Extinction Rebellion have threatened to close the busy hub for up to 11 days (Image: Getty Images)
Sir Stephen House, Deputy Commissioner of the Met Police, said at the London Assembly yesterday: “I would take this moment to urge Extinction Rebellion not to use drones at Heathrow. Not least from the public safety point of view.
“They are extremely dangerous.
