Greenpeace activists have breached security at Heathrow Airport and climbed on top of an aeroplane.
Four people were arrested after unfurling a banner from the top of the British Airways Airbus A320, which had arrived from Manchester.
BAA said operations at the airport were not affected and described the protest as “unlawful and irresponsible”.
The move came as protesters were gathering in Westminster on Monday to oppose plans to expand the airport.
A government consultation on the plan closes on Wednesday.
Greenpeace said protesters put a banner reading “Climate Emergency – No Third Runway” over the plane’s tailfin at about 0945 GMT.
It said two women and two men crossed the tarmac at the airport after the passengers had disembarked.
One protester, Anna Jones, said: “Our planet and the people who live on it are in danger.
“Climate change can be beaten but not by almost doubling the size of the airport.
“We are here to draw a line in the sand and tell Gordon Brown his new runway must not and will not be built.”
BAA said police were attending the incident but it had not disrupted airport operations.
It said: “The government is currently consulting on the future of Heathrow airport and all parties have the opportunity, through the proper democratic process, to make their views known.”
But it criticised the Greenpeace protest as “unlawful and irresponsible” and said there would be a full investigation.
The four were arrested and taken to Heathrow police station at about 1100 GMT, a BAA spokeswoman said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7262614.stm
It’s mad how in this climate of ultra high security at airport some people manage to climb onto an A320!? :rolleyes:. Leave the spotters alone and keep an eye on the hippies :diablo:.
By: steve rowell - 27th February 2008 at 04:46
BBC news did too, mind you Sky thought an Airbus 777 crash landed at LHR…
The news grab here said “protesters climb on top of a jumbo jet at Heathrow”…and it always fascinates me when news bulletins refer to Heathrow as the worlds biggest or the worlds busiest airport
By: Ren Frew - 26th February 2008 at 00:06
hear hear!
I’m all for free speech. It boils my blood to see tree hugging hippies pulling stunts like this.
I guess they’re A320 huggers now ? 😉
By: PMN - 25th February 2008 at 23:53
get injured or worse hit by a taxing aircraft!
As long as the aircraft isn’t damaged, that’s absolutely fine by me.
Paul
By: Ren Frew - 25th February 2008 at 23:50
For a while Sky News were stating it was a 777, i’d like to see them try climb up there!
H
BBC news did too, mind you Sky thought an Airbus 777 crash landed at LHR…
By: Prowlus - 25th February 2008 at 23:48
imagine what sort of crap those protestors make when the a380 flys in march 18th
By: lukeylad - 25th February 2008 at 23:37
Im sick of greenpeace and other ground doing these stupid and frankly dangerous protests! Im all for them protesting in a safe and reasonable manor.
One day i fear there will be a terrible accident when they do try to protest and get injured or worse hit by a taxing aircraft!
By: Arabella-Cox - 25th February 2008 at 22:56
Funny thing is their little stunt didn’t really work!
The Greenpeace representative (not one of the rabble on the plane) is trying to unsuccessfully get his point across about climate change when everyone else is on about a breach of security!
For a while Sky News were stating it was a 777, i’d like to see them try climb up there!
H
By: Bmused55 - 25th February 2008 at 22:51
Whilst I support free speech, rember that this is at an Airport, on an Aircraft, in a post 9-11 world!
The 1st one should have been cut in two by a 50 calibre! The rest would soon stop.
hear hear!
I’m all for free speech. It boils my blood to see tree hugging hippies pulling stunts like this.
They can never suggest viable alternatives when questioned about their protests and more often than not use precisely that which they are protesting aganist to get where they’re going!
Look at the Greenpeace fleet of ships.. oils oozing, emissions belching scrap heaps!
By: Thorny - 25th February 2008 at 21:14
People should be able to protest, but not breach the security of one of the world’s busiest airports, let alone clamber on the top of an Airbus.
My solution…
Tell them to get off the aircraft immediately, if they don’t, start up the engines telling them that if they refuse to climb down they will not only be taken for a little ‘ride,’ but they will also have the fuel money extracted from their bank accounts. If they still don’t get down, taxi the aircraft around a bit. They would soon move.
By: old shape - 25th February 2008 at 20:49
Good to see that people are still able to protest peacefully in this country.
Planemike………..
Whilst I support free speech, rember that this is at an Airport, on an Aircraft, in a post 9-11 world!
The 1st one should have been cut in two by a 50 calibre! The rest would soon stop.
By: Arabella-Cox - 25th February 2008 at 20:45
Scary that a group of people could access the top of a plane, with security people seemingly not noticing…
By: J Boyle - 25th February 2008 at 18:20
“One protester, Anna Jones, said: “Our planet and the people who live on it are in danger.
“Climate change can be beaten but not by almost doubling the size of the airport.”
What is their solution? Build another airport?
Magically create less air traffic? If so, how?
-Limit people to X-many flights a year?
-Restrict visits to the UK by tourists and businesspeople?
Note to protestors:
Don’t just tell us what you’re against…give us a practical solution.
If you don’t have one and are just looking for a publicitry stunt..please shut up and give the stage to someone smarter and/or more willing to look for a realistic practical/workable solution.
Get over the “us versus them” and “everyone who is not a card carring member of our group is a greed-head capitalist” attitude. People really do want to help the environment…but give people a realistic choice.
By: Arabella-Cox - 25th February 2008 at 17:02
Good to see that people are still able to protest peacefully in this country.
Planemike………..
By: Ren Frew - 25th February 2008 at 16:48
At least they remembered to wear hi-viz vests, sensible hippies indeed. Or does this lend creedence to my theory you can go just about anywhere these days as long as you slip on a hi-invisibilty vest ?
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February 25, 2008 at 4:17 pm