Greenpeace Airport Protest Stopped by Police
Police today requested that protesting Greenpeace activists leave Manchester Airport, after they erected a mock check-in desk that urged rail services be chosen over flying. Bedecked as security staff, and with a banner above the desk proclaiming it to be the 'Climate Ticket Exchange', the activists offered to exchange passengers' airline tickets, for use on British Airways, for rail tickets. Additionally, they utilised a loudspeaker in order to broadcast their message, which is based on their reaction to what they claim is "binge-flying"; taking place on a national basis.
While no formal arrests ensued, the five campaigners responsible were requested by police to vacate Manchester Airport. Their protest was mirrored today by similar efforts at other airports across the UK.
Commenting on the background to the protests, Laura Yates, a Greenpeace campaigner, states: "By operating and aggressively promoting routes like this, British Airways is fuelling the binge-flying culture. Planes are 10 times more damaging to the climate than trains."
"If we don't do something about the growth in aviation, Britain will find it very hard to meet its global-warming targets. City centre to city centre, the train is quicker and the walk-on price is a lot cheaper."
Greenpeace alleges that emissions of greenhouse gas in Britain are being accelerated, above all, by the aerospace industry. Furthermore, the group highlights how flight is culpable for 13 per cent of 'climate impact', due to increased levels of global warming emanating from greenhouse gases at higher altitudes.
A British Airways spokeswoman said the "stunt" had not impacted on its flights. Commenting further, the unidentified woman stated: "We offer travel from cities around the UK for passengers who wish to reach their destination within an hour and a half, typically at least half the time it would take by train."
"We are the only airline to take part in a carbon emissions trading scheme and we have improved our fuel efficiency by 27 per cent since 1990. Globally, the aviation industry is responsible for 1.6 per cent of all CO2 emissions. If you stopped every single flight in and out of the UK tomorrow, you would only reduce global emissions by 0.1 per cent."
Source - Airport International Newsdesk
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