Exclusive

Holidaymakers face being blocked from boarding planes by Just Stop Oil at British airports this summer

22 July 2024, 19:29 | Updated: 22 July 2024, 20:16

Just Stop Oil could disrupt holidaymakers this summer
Just Stop Oil could disrupt holidaymakers this summer. Picture: Getty

By Freddie Hall and Kit Heren

Just Stop Oil have refused to rule out blocking British holidaymakers from boarding their flights this summer, as the group continue to plan protests despite recent jail sentences for activists.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Just Stop Oil has become notorious for blocking roads in central London and grinding busy motorways to a halt, but the group say they will now be focusing on disruption to air travel.

And a spokesperson for the group has warned British travelling abroad of significant disruption at UK airports as a result of the group’s action.

When asked if Just Stop Oil would rule out protests inside UK airport terminals, or blocking passengers from boarding their planes, Ben Larsen told LBC that Just Stop Oil "cannot and should not rule out any form of non-violent protest."

"This is an emergency and we're prepared to act like the emergency it is," he added. Mr Larsen said that "if a protest isn't significantly disruptive then that protest isn't effective."

Read more: Just Stop Oil threatens to disrupt summer holiday plans with latest airport campaign

Read more: ‘Their protests are pathetic’: Armed forces minister slams Just Stop Oil as founder give five-year prison sentence

Chris Packham gives his assessment of the ‘disproportionately high’ sentencing of five Just Stop Oil activists

It comes after five activists, including Just Stop Oil founder Roger Hallam, were sent to prison for their roles in organising a protest that blocked the M25.

Mr Larsen added: "The reason the state and the legal system is cracking down so hard, sending people to jail for five years for non-violent protest, is because they know these protests are effective. They know it's effective and they're scared of it."

Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, Stansted, Luton, Manchester, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford and Newcastle International airports have all secured injunctions against Just Stop Oil in recent weeks.

But Mr Larsen said: "Just Stop Oil has broken injunctions in the past and it will continue to do so again".

Matthew Wright questions the logic of imprisoning Just Stop Oil protesters while 'corporate criminals' run free

Reports have emerged that Just Stop Oil could collaborate with European environmentalist group called ‘the A22 Network’.

Mr Larsen said in response: “Climate breakdown is a worldwide problem, so Just Oil is absolutely ready to work with any group worldwide willing to demand that their government takes this take this seriously."

Earlier, the activists said that winning their "initial demand" for the UK government to end oil, gas and coal licences was "not... enough to protect our families and communities from the worst effects of climate breakdown".

It called on the government to establish with other nations "a legally binding treaty to stop extracting and burning oil, gas and coal by 2030".

Protesters gathered outside Southwark Crown Court as five climate activists were given jail sentences following the M25 protest in 2022
Protesters gathered outside Southwark Crown Court as five climate activists were given jail sentences following the M25 protest in 2022. Picture: Alamy

Read More: Two Just Stop Oil protesters bailed after 'causing £52,000 of damage' attempting to spray Taylor Swift's private jet with paint

Read More: ‘Their protests are pathetic’: Armed forces minister slams Just Stop Oil as founder give five-year prison sentence

Earlier, Just Stop Oil warned in a statement to Brits looking to head on holiday this summer: "This is not a course of action undertaken lightly, however action from governments must be commensurate with the scale of the crisis faced by humanity.

"Until that is the case, it is on the conscience of every ordinary citizen to utilise whatever mechanism is available to us to nonviolently pressure for necessary change."

The group said it had trained its demonstrators in "nonviolence" and would work to "undertake all possible steps to ensure that the safety of those using airports, as well as those in the air, will not be compromised by our actions".

"This includes avoiding going on any active or inactive runways," it added.

The group said it had also requested a meeting with the Prime Minister or a member of the cabinet to negotiate over their demands and actions.

"As ever, we remain open to dialogue with the government and are willing to immediately halt taking action should they commit to an international fossil fuel treaty to Just Stop Oil by 2030."

A government spokesperson said: “We recognise the democratic right that people must be free to peacefully express their views, but they should do so within the bounds of the law. Protest organisers should engage fully with the police.”

Just Stop Oil activists block traffic in Whitehall, London
Just Stop Oil activists block traffic in Whitehall, London. Picture: Alamy

It comes after two activists appeared in court accused of damaging two jets that were sprayed with orange paint at Stansted Airport.

The pair are said to have used angle grinders to break through an airport fence at around 5am on June 20, before using fire extinguishers filled with paint.

Prosecutors allege that the cost of cleaning up the paint was £52,000, though an earlier hearing was told that the full cost including the damage to the fence and the amount needed to fund extra security was not yet known.

Jennifer Kowalski, 28, of Dumbarton in Scotland, and Cole Macdonald, 22, of Brighton, appeared before Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday.

The defendants, who are on conditional bail, were not asked to enter pleas to charges and the case was adjourned until August 15.

They indicated at an earlier hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court pleas of not guilty to causing criminal damage and interfering with national infrastructure.

Kowalski and Macdonald are also both charged with aggravated trespass, though they have not been asked to indicate their pleas to this.

They were both bailed until the next court hearing.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Donald Trump signs an executive order imposing tariffs on imported goods

'Liberation Day' explained: What are Trump's tariffs and how will they impact the UK?

The blurry thieves stole £3,000 worth of cigarettes and vapes.

Police release CCTV after thieves steal £3,000 of vapes - but images leave the public calling for 'the ghostbusters'

Julie Goodyear

Julie Goodyear's husband shares rare photo of Coronation Street star two years on from dementia diagnosis

: An aerial view shows the scorched graveyard around a church following a large blaze the previous day, on July 20, 2022 in Wennington, Greater London

Londoners urged not to have barbecues this weekend amid soaring temperatures 'because of wildfire risk'

Lord Sugar labels Trump tariffs 'a disaster' as Apprentice star teases potential US Presidential meeting

Lord Sugar labels Trump tariffs 'a disaster' and warns that the president 'hasn't thought it through'

Mother and two children struck and killed by a vehicle in Brooklyn, New York: driver operating suspended license

Husband left 'utterly bereft' after Brit mum and two daughters killed in New York car crash

The Nintendo Switch 2 will release on June 5, 2025

Nintendo Switch 2: Exciting reveal, but why is it more expensive here?

BRITAIN-FUNERAL-POLICE

Funeral director charged with 64 offences including fraud, theft and preventing 30 lawful burials

swallow-tail

Brits urged to 'stop mowing lawns' amid 'national butterfly crisis' with more than half of species in decline

Kyle Kitchen, 38, murdered eight-week-old Primose Kane

Dad who murdered daughter by violently shaking her as baby is jailed for life

Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations in Gaza

Israel expands ground attack on Gaza to seize 'large areas' - despite pleas from hostage families

Douglas Clifton Brown, 56, tried to kill his estranged wife

Old Etonian who tried to murder his estranged partner by throwing her down a 240ft well is jailed for 24 years

Kaliyah Coa, 11, was reportedly down at the water when she was 'swept away'

Pictured: Missing 11-year-old 'swept away' while paddling in the River Thames

Hot cross buns could be scarce this Easter as farmers continue to protest against Rachel Reeves' 'tractor tax'.

Hot cross bun shortage looms as farmers escalate 'tractor tax' protests

Tanesha Melbourne-Blake was shot

Teenage girl shot dead during gang 'ride-out' following social media humiliation

Mother and two children struck and killed by a vehicle in Brooklyn, New York: driver operating suspended license

Brit mum and daughters, eight and five, killed in crash by driver who said 'I have the devil in me'