Six climate change protesters breached security and surrounded a jet at Manchester Airport, shutting the airport down for 20 minutes.
The protesters caused all operations at the airport to be suspended after cutting through perimeter fencing at about 7.30am.
They ran across the airfield to the Monarch Airlines plane and formed a human circle around the undercarriage of the stationary plane using arm tube lock-ons.
Six flights were diverted to other airports during the short shut-down.
The protest was carried out by activists from the Manchester Plane Stupid group.
A second group blockaded the road entrance to the World Freight Terminal and unfurled a flag reading 'More airfreight = more climate change'.
The group are campaigning against a recent decision to expand the terminal which will mean the demolition of historic homes on Hasty Lane
Lisa Jameson from Manchester Plane Stupid said: “This isn't just about airport expansion or rising carbon emissions.
“This is about challenging an economic system based on the absurdity of infinite growth on a planet of finite resources, a system which prioritises bail-outs for the banks and then makes us pay for it in public service cuts. Capitalism is the cause of the problem, climate change is just a symptom.”
A sweep was made of the airfield to check there were no other protesters before police moved in and attempted to remove them.
While the incident was on going the airport was closed to all inbound and outbound traffic.
An airport employee who has just turned up for work said: "I received a message to say that the airport has been closed following security issues on the airport.
He added: "I understand that climate change protesters broke through a security fence in the Cargo area at the airport and have now surrounded an Airbus.
“I did see protesters at the Cargo area of the airport as I was coming into work”
Climate change protesters close airport for 20 minutes
May 24, 2010
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Too much time on their hands.
If they really want to make a difference they should get over to India and China to pressure the 19th century style factories they have over there.
Pathetic, seriously grow up!
That being said it sounded pretty easy for these muppets to get across the airfield, Good job they werent terrorists. Whats the point in all the passenger security when anyone can run on to their airfield with god knows what.
High fives all round for the green brigade.
Victory is now in sight!!
It doesn't fill you with confidence when a bunch of tree huggers can get to a plane on the airfield by just cutting though a fence.
arrest them all for sabotage! i work at manchester airport and i think all ramp staff and airfield ops need to open their eyes and also everyone else, it is in perfect view of staff west so why did it get to this point whereby they manged to chain themselves to the airbus? check and challenge is a key part of our jobs, whoever you are and whoever you work for we all play a part in security! seriously wake up. oh and as for plane stupid, think you should look at the facts about manchester airport and its co2 emmisions, and if the airport wants to expand then let it, how about we come and protest in your back gardens against you and your anoying and illegal acts!
Surely this is criminal damage and trespassing? Maybe somebody should send the bill of diverting flights, delayed take-offs, repairing the fences etc. to these protesters and see if they want to do it again.
Surely the new scanners should have stopped this - they are touted as solving all security issues !
"The protest was carried out by activists from the Manchester Plane Stupid group."
At least they chose an appropriate name the bunch of idiots.
Just shoot them. The police can say they thought they were terrorists. We can ask questions later.
this literally would have cost millions as the cost of diverting a flight is enormous and 6 easily would have cost a couple of million they should be looking at time for the purposful sabotage of buisness for a massive cost.
absolute disgrace... how in the world is security so flimsy that a group of people can cut through a fence and then manage to cross a whole airfield and then get chained to a plane? how?
Security needs stepping up outside the airports also.
The actual act is also a joke, as if the public have not had enough disruption with Ash clouds, strikes and now this shambles.
Well done guys :D
Holly
What I want to know is why were they holdng up buses going to the airport making people like me who work at the airport (we don't do anything flying at our company we just happen to have offices at the airport) late. The bus companies have enough problems running services to time as it is without this lot causing trouble.
Why do we fund a very good armed police unit there if they can't shoot them? They could have at very least rounded them up and put them on a plane to Cuba ;o)
Fair play to the protesters, i hope they make a difference and cost the airport millions.
Should have just made sure no-one else was running around and then left them chained to the plane. Wonder how long they'd have stayed there with no PR, no water, no food, little comfort (by the look of their stance in the photography)?
These people seem to me to be society drop outs. You can spot them a mile off as they can not really fit in elsewhere. You have to feel sorry for them as this gives them a sense of purpose and belonging.
Find Manchester Airport on this site and compare the aerial photos from the 1970s to the modern day maps. You'll see just how much the airport has expanded in that time:
http://maps.cheshire.gov.uk/tithemaps/TwinMaps.aspx
Should of just moved them away from anywhere disruptive, left them there, and carried on as normal, would of been great to see if they just continued to sit there.
[quote name=Growler]These people seem to me to be society drop outs. [/quote]
If they are then its a personal choice they have made and reflects accurately the society we live in.
Im not sure who is worse the saddo tree huggers leaching on whatever publicity they can get, Or the childish morons on here rising to it and putting "well done" comments.
Wind power is an excellent way to help combat climate change. Take a look at yes2wind on Facebook for further information, and help get up to 1,000 members that like yes2wind:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/yes2wind?ref=ts
[quote name=Ignoramus, Manchester]If they are then its a personal choice they have made and reflects accurately the society we live in.[/quote]
They are an embarrassment to society.
I'm all for green issues, and was delighted when the third runway at Heathrow got scrapped, but look at this as a local protest on local turf - They are stupid because I don't think it achieves much in terms of statement, but will hit airlines nevertheless in the pocket. Agree with the principle.
[quote name=Growler]They are an embarrassment to society.[/quote]
To some sections of it yes, of course they are. To some they are an inspiration. To most they are nothing at all.
Thats what a society is you see, different people with different values living together.