Stansted Airport Closed

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 10:17

Flights in and out of Stansted Airport have been delayed after 50 climate change protesters broke into a secure area to stage a demonstration near a runway.

The Plane Stupid protest began at 3.15am when the campaigners occupied the runway that had been closed for maintenance work.

The protesters have chained themselves together and have created "a fort" by surrounding themselves with security fencing.

Operator BAA said the airport was open but that inbound flights were being diverted and that outbound flights were subject to delay.

Police said four people have been arrested.

An Essex police spokeswoman said: "About 50 protesters have gained access to Stansted Airport and they are airside.

"We have arrested four people so far. Police have contained the area where the protesters are and they will be dealing with them in due course."

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 10:20

The protestors apparently said it was "ridiculously easy" to gain access. Worrying from a security point of view, certainly.

J

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 10:24

I agree - how do these people get in to Airports? It just goes to show how easy it is.

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 10:31

It seems to make a bit of a mockery with regard to the security checks we are all subjected to when we go through airports in this country. It would appear that it's a piece of cake to pop into "airside" and, theoretically, plant a bomb under a plane if you so wished.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 10:33

Yes and there are 50 protesters.

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 10:37

Exactly - so we assume that if 50 protestors get in without being noticed, a couple of terrorists should have no problem. Apparently, it's mayhem at the airport at the moment, even though they have now re-opened the runway.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 10:52

This will cause delays and frustrations at other airports as planes have been diverted.

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 10:56

Feel very sorry for anyone trying to fly out of UK over the next few days.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 11:41

From the BAA Stansted page:-

Airport information



Due to an earlier incident, flights from Stansted could be subject to delay or cancellation. All passengers that are due to travel today are advised contact their airline for the latest information.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 11:44

From the BBC News:-

Flights at Stansted airport have been delayed after more than 50 protesters occupied a secure area near the runway.



Climate action group Plane Stupid said it started the protest at 0315 GMT by breaching security.



The runway was closed for about two hours as a precaution, but reopened at 0810 GMT. Passengers are being advised to contact their airlines.



Police said they had removed all the protesters, who were chained together, and made 39 arrests.

snakes



Joined: 28/10/2008
Posts: 1512

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 11:47

these people never think of the poor sods who are trying to get home to see a sick relative before they pop off ! happened to me years ago very annoying and it really does no good whatso ever ! I would have let the planes take off and watch them throw sandwiches at them !!! however on a more serious note perhaps the security should get a slight telling off for being so stupid as to let them get there in the first instance

CJtill


Joined: 02/05/2008
Posts: 836

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 14:23

Just had a call from my wife who is returning home to the TRNC on todays Pegasus flight due in at Ercan at 8.35pm.

As far as can be established the flight is boarding and should depart on time.

hattikins


Joined: 17/02/2008
Posts: 2793

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 14:25

Do these protesters book a days holiday to go and disrupt other peoples holidays.

flightholiday


Joined: 19/07/2007
Posts: 3217

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 14:46

Msg 12



As the news was that it was mainly cleared by about 09.30 I assumed that flights from midday onward were not likley to be very disrupted if at all as Stansted want to get as many passangers through as they can (they get paid on that basis).

CJtill


Joined: 02/05/2008
Posts: 836

Message Posted:
08/12/2008 15:16

From what could be established at Stansted the biggest suffers were those flying Ryanair.