Protestors blockade Farnborough Airport to protest plans to double private jet flights
Local residents and climate activists blocked access to Farnborough Airport yesterday (2 December) to protest against the proposed expansion of the airport which will almost double the number of private jet flights to 70,000 a year, in a move which blatantly ignores the climate crisis.
Dozens of activists blockaded the main entrance to the airport with banners proclaiming “FLYING TO EXTINCTION” “PRIVATE FLIGHTS = PUBLIC DEATHS” “STOP PRIVATE FLIGHTS” “PRIVATE FLIGHTS COST THE EARTH” and “CLIMATE EMERGENCY”.
Protestors released colourful smoke flares, chanting slogans and engaging with members of the public, whilst accompanied by the XR Rebel Rhythms band of drummers.
In line with the messaging of “PRIVATE FLIGHTS = PUBLIC DEATHS” the protesters also held a poignant ‘die-in’ to represent the loss of life and biodiversity due to the huge increase in the number of private flights taken by 1% of the population.
The demonstration includes campaigners from Extinction Rebellion (XR) Waverley and Borders, who have joined forces with Farnborough Noise campaign group, Blackwater Valley Friends of the Earth, Alton Climate Action Network and local residents, to voice their opposition to the plans.
The protest follows the launch of a public consultation on the plans by Rushmoor Council on 13 November, which closes on 17 December. The council has said it is expecting a “substantial” number of responses.
The public consultation closely follows a non-statutory consultation on the plans carried out by Farnborough Airport which ended on 18 October and which drew fierce opposition from local residents and environmental campaigners.
The proposals include increasing the maximum number of annual aircraft movements from 50,000 to 70,000 per annum, including an increase in non-weekday aircraft movements from 8,900 to 18,900 per annum.Farnborough Airport also wants to amend the aircraft weight category of 50,000 to 80,000 kg to 55,000 to 80,000 kg, and increase aircraft movements within this category from 1,500 to 2,100 aircraft movements, including an increase from 270 to 570 annual aircraft movements for non-weekdays.
The 33,120 private flights to and from Farnborough Airport last year carried an average of just 2.5 passengers per flight, with each passenger responsible for the emission of nine times as much carbon as an economy flight to the US and 20 times that to Spain. Currently 40% of flights to and from the airport are empty.
Private aviation significantly contributes to climate change due to its high carbon emissions. Flying in a private jet is the most inefficient and most carbon-intensive mode of transport.
Private jets are 10 times more carbon intensive than a normal airliner and 50 times worse than trains, with a four-hour private flight emitting as much as the average person does in a year, according to research by environmental campaign group Transport & Environment.
At a time when we must drastically reduce our carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels, Macquarie is blatantly ignoring the science and is complicit in the unfolding climate crisis.
Rieks Drijver, aged 61, Milford, Surrey says: “I am protesting at Farnborough Airport because flying in private jets is probably the most wasteful form of transport. Most people are unaware that only around 10% of the global population flies. It is a privilege of wealthy people and yet the worst climate impacts are felt by people who never fly. Flying in private jets is worse.
He adds: “It is unbelievably selfish and arrogant for anyone to think that they can squander so much of our global carbon budget on flights. At the recent consultations held on plans to increase the number of flights at Farnborough, it was clear that many people are angry about the use of private jets.
“We should all be outraged that anyone can think flying in a private jet is justifiable. Because I am outraged, I am taking a stand with those who feel the same. I am also hopeful, precisely because so many people feel the same.”
Nancy Clarke, aged 60, a gardener from Medstead, Hampshire, says: “I’m here at Farnborough airport to protest against private jets. Shall I state the obvious? The planet cannot take any more CO2 emissions and private jets, used by the very wealthy, celebrities and royals, emit grotesque amounts of climate wrecking carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Aviation fuel is not even taxed.Many of these planes fly empty. It must stop.”
Jules Crossley, aged 58, from Aldershot, says: “The airport exclusively serves ultra-wealthy people who are private jet users; the most carbon-intensive method of travelling. There is no business justification for expanding the number of yearly flights, which will have a direct impact on local residents in terms of air and noise pollution; especially at weekends when the airport want to more than double the number of flights.
“We hope that local people will come and join us between 10am and 12, to show the airport operators how much opposition there is to their plans and how reckless it is when we are in the middle to a climate crisis.”