Extinction Rebellion: Activists block entrance to Luton Airport private jet terminals

A group of Extinction Rebellion protesters has blocked the entrances to Luton Airport’s private jet terminals.

The climate activist group dubbed their Valentine’s Day demonstration “love in action” as they urged the government to ban private jets, tax frequent flyers and “make wealthy polluters pay”.

Extinction Rebellion’s iconic blue boat Polly Higgins is blocking all three gates to the airport’s Signature Terminal with protestors locked on to the deck and hull of the boat.

Another group of protestors is barricading the entrance to the Harrods Aviation Terminal, with activists locked onto two oil barrels.

Several other protestors are gathered at both terminals dressed in hi-vis jackets, holding flags and banners in the style of airport signs, and wearing pink vests reading “Love In Action”.

The protest is part of a global coordinated action launched last week by climate activists across 11 countries, which is targeting multiple sites in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the US.

Extinction Rebellion added that groups have decided to take action on the road leading to Luton Airport due to the "rise in the use of private jet flights for supposedly romantic Valentine’s Day dates".

The group is urging people to go to Parliament on April 21 to join 100,000 people calling for a citizen-led transition away from fossil fuels.

Todd Smith, a former airline pilot-turned climate activist, said: "Valentine’s Day should not have to cost the Earth, or the taxpayer. The people want a ban on private jets, as Climate Assembly UK demonstrated in 2020. But nothing has been done.

"I can only assume the government has ignored the will of the people to protect the interests of their rich mates. We are here today to make them listen."

Nigel Harvey, 60, a recycling company chief executive and Extinction Rebellion activist from St Albans, added: "Extinction Rebellion and other climate activist groups are often criticised for disrupting the lives of ‘normal working people’ – well it should be clear that owning a private jet isn’t normal.

"This is a targeted action – we’re disrupting only the top one percent: the highest-income, highest emitters who are most responsible for pollution and have the most power to affect changes."