Protest causes Stansted chaos
8th December 2008
Flights at London’s Stansted airport are subject to delays and cancellations after climate change protestors occupied an area near the airport’s runway.
The protestors from Plane Stupid broke into the airport at 3.15am this morning (Monday) and chained themselves together onto fencing they’d brought with them.
One of the protestors said they broke into the airport’s secure runway area using bolt cutters.
Police have now removed all of the protestors and say they’ve arrested 39 people. Stansted is likely to have been targeted after plans to expand the airport were approved by the government in October.
Flights were due to begin operating at 6.10am but were delayed but the runway was closed until 8.10am.
Ryanair says it has had to cancel 52 flights in and out of Stansted. Passengers flying in or out of the airport today are being advised to contact their airline before journeying to the airport.