UK Environmental Protest Disrupts Bizav

British environmental protesters targeted business aviation recently when they blockaded main entrances to two London-area airports. The demonstrations were an offshoot of a week-long protest at London Heathrow Airport.

At Biggin Hill, passengers and crew had to be diverted through alternate entrances while police removed protesters who had chained themselves to the gates, charging 10 of them with aggravated trespass. Around 18 protesters tried to block the entrance to Farnborough Airport in the morning peak period, but that demonstration soon dispersed after the airport opened alternative entrances.

Richard George, a spokes-man for the Biggin Hill protesters, said that the group had deliberately targeted business aircraft passengers. "They are saying they will not only continue to fly, but they will fly in the most carbon-inefficient way possible," he commented.