In a bold move causing significant disruption at one of the UK’s busiest airports, environmental activists from the group Just Stop Oil have staged a protest at Gatwick Airport’s southern terminal. The incident, which began around 08:00 today, has resulted in the blocking of departure gates, potentially affecting hundreds of travellers.
According to Just Stop Oil, seven of their supporters entered the terminal and used suitcases equipped with lock-on devices to secure themselves in place, effectively obstructing access to departure areas. An image released by the group shows protesters sitting on the floor inside the airport, blocking an entrance.
The protest has created considerable inconvenience for passengers attempting to board their flights. Travellers were seen navigating around the protesters as airport staff and security attempted to manage the situation.
In a statement, Just Stop Oil explained their actions were aimed at drawing attention to the urgent need for action on climate change and to halt the UK government’s approval of new oil and gas projects. Our supporters are here today to demand an end to the government’s reckless pursuit of fossil fuel extraction, which is endangering our planet and future generations,” the group stated.
Gatwick Airport officials responded swiftly to the protest, deploying additional security personnel to the southern terminal to ensure the safety and security of passengers. A spokesperson for the airport commented, “We are working with local authorities to resolve the situation as quickly and safely as possible. We apologize to our passengers for the inconvenience caused and appreciate their patience during this disruption.”
Sussex Police confirmed that officers were on the scene and had begun arresting the protesters. We are aware of the protest at Gatwick Airport and are working to address the situation. Several individuals have been arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance,” a police spokesperson said.
This latest demonstration by Just Stop Oil is part of a broader campaign targeting airports and other key infrastructure to highlight the urgent need for climate action. The group has previously carried out similar protests, drawing both support and criticism from the public and authorities.
Passengers are advised to check the status of their flights and allow extra time for their journey through Gatwick Airport today. The airport and airlines are working to minimize delays and ensure that travel plans are impacted as little as possible.
As the climate crisis continues to provoke strong reactions from activists, this incident underscores the growing tensions between environmental groups and governmental policies on energy and infrastructure development.
