UNDER PROTEST
London City Airport protest – how to check if your flight has been delayed or cancelled?
ENVIRONMENTAL protest group Extinction Rebellion have said they will "peacefully occupy" London City Airport from October 10 for three days.
The move is part of the group's wider two-week "shut down" of the capital. But how can you find out if your flight is affected?
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How do I check if my flight is affected by the protests?
London City Airport has returned to normal after protesters caused disruption on October 10.
They said on October 11: "The airport is open and we operating as normal.
"Additional boarding pass checks are being made so thank you in advance for your patience as we get you on your journey today."
London City Airport CEO, Robert Sinclair, issued a statement late on October 10: "There are no longer protesters outside the airport terminal but we continue to work with the Metropolitan Police to ensure that our passengers tonight and tomorrow have a safe and secure service.
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"The airport has remained fully operational throughout the day and has run an almost complete schedule of flights, with just two flights cancelled as a result of the protest activity.
"We want to thank all our passengers today for their patience, and the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police for their support and professionalism.
"If you are flying from London City Airport this evening or tomorrow, please do check the status of your flight with your airline before travelling to the airport."
Any potential holidaymakers can also use this to check live flight information, and you can check their and pages for information.
As Extinction Rebellion began their occupation, the airport's website stated: "We can confirm that a number of protesters have arrived at London City Airport.
"We continue to work closely with the Metropolitan Police to ensure the safe operation of the airport, which remains fully open and operational."
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Extinction Rebellion planned a "Hong Kong style" protest, with eco-warriors obstructing departure and arrivals gates.
On October 10, London City Airport posted: "Good morning everyone, thanks for your patience if you're travelling today as we implement boarding pass checks at the entrance, due to the threat of protester activity.
"Over 40 flights have arrived or departed so far. We continue to work with @metpoliceuk to minimise disruption."
They tweeted that only travelling passengers would be given access to the terminal with those flying having to show their boarding pass to gain entry.
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What has happened at City Airport with the protesters?
On October 10, an extinction Rebellion protester glued himself to the top of a British Airways plane at London City Airport as the total number of arrests topped 1,000.
The man, who Extinction Rebellion identified as former Paralympic cyclist James Brown, held on to the aircraft in a video streamed online by the protest group.
A day earlier, a protester managed to climb on to the roof of the building and unfurled a banner saying: "Our fragile planet is dying".
Standing on the roof, he bellowed down: "Shut the airport down! Rebellion!"
Another man even managed to get on to a plane and cause a delay in it taking off before he was arrested and removed.
A well-dressed man managed to get on to an Aer Lingus flight to Dublin when he stood up and delivered a lecture to the passengers on climate change.
Filming himself on his phone, the man said: "I don't wish to travel with you, but I don't wish to get off".
He went on: "I'm extremely sorry for the inconvenience."
Furious passengers responded saying: "You're not sorry at all."
Environmentalists attempted to block the entrance to the airport from the DLR by sitting together on the ground.
Protesters have been dragged out the airport by officers after failing to break through security into the terminal.
A spokesman for London City Airport said: “We can confirm that a number of protesters have arrived at London City Airport.
"We continue to work closely with the Metropolitan Police to ensure the safe operation of the airport, which remains fully open and operational. If you are flying from London City today, please check the status of your flight with your airline before travelling to the airport.”
The Metropolitan Police said 800 people have been arrested since the start of the Extinction Rebellion protests on Monday, including 91-year-old John Lynes.
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Why are Extinction Rebellion protesting at London City Airport?
The group's statement said: "Protest targets the continued Government support for expansion of air travel, which benefits the rich and punishes the poor, in the face of the Climate and Ecological Emergency."
They added: "In the biggest mass participation action of the International Rebellion, the Fly Today, No Tomorrow action will involve a ‘Hong Kong style’ occupation of the terminal building, lying, sitting or glueing-on in front of the departure and arrivals gates.
An Extinction Rebellion spokesman said: "By non-violently shutting down this airport, in homage to the style of the Hong Kong democracy protesters, we are demonstrating the utter frailty of the transport systems that countries such as ours, unwisely, have come to depend upon."
"Hundreds of participants have already signed up to nonviolently use their bodies to close the airport, and are willing to sacrifice their liberty to achieve this aim.
"City Airport is being targeted to highlight the incompatibility of its planned £2bn expansion with addressing the Climate and Ecological Emergency declared by Parliament or meeting the Government’s legally binding commitment to go net carbon neutral by 2050.
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"Airport expansion such as this and the proposed third runway at Heathrow will make it impossible to meet this commitment, resulting in dire consequences as the Emergency worsens."
On October 10, Extinction Rebellion tweeted: "If aviation were a country, it would be 6th biggest emitter in the world.
"City of London companies cause 15% of global emissions.
"The science is clear - this airport means death."
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