The Plane Stupid group today caused chaos at London Heathrow Airport when 13 of their protesters breached a security fence, and chained themselves together on a runway – in a protest against Heathrow Expansion.
The incursion occurred at 03:30BST with a runway closed for 3 and a half hours for them to be cleared. The affected runway reo-pend to traffic at 06:20BST. By 10:00BST, the runways had re-opened fully, with nine of the protestors arrested.
The incursion closed the northern runway of Heathrow airport (09L/27R), causing the cancellation of 13 flights. Not a big thing, but for Plane Stupid, it was getting the publicity of them closing a runway with a protest which is what they wanted – and have.
Unsurprisingly, Plane Stupid – a direct action group is against any further airport expansion.
The expansion of Heathrow Airport shows there clear lines with environmental and political arguments – and I suspect for many months and years ahead, there will be further fights, protests and incursions ahead.
Which for those stuck in the middle – the passenger – means more flight delayed…
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