Greta Thunberg has joined protesters at Farborough Airport this morning as they protest against plans to increase their annual flight limit by 40 percent.
The Swedish activist, 21, said: “The fact that using private jets is both legally & socially allowed in an escalating climate emergency is completely detached from reality.
“There are few examples that show as clearly how the rich elite is sacrificing present and future living conditions on this planet so they can maintain their extreme and violent lifestyles.”
Protesters have gathered in Farnborough town centre this morning as they march towards the private airport holding banners reading “Stop Private Flights Now” and “Flying to Extinction”.
The march will meet at the gates of the airport where speakers will address the crowd.
The protest is in response to a planning application from the airport that will see more than double the amount of usual weekend flights.
According to Extinction Rebellion, in 2022, there were 33,120 flights to and from the airport, a 27 percent increase compared to 2021’s total of 26,007.
Flights to and from Farnborough averaged just 2.5 passengers per flight. Currently, 40 percent of flights to and from the airport are empty, according to research by campaign group Possible.
Though the airport claims the majority of flights are for business use, the research claims most of the flights are heading for holiday destinations.
Todd Smith, former airline pilot and Extinction Rebellion spokesperson, said: “Flying is the fastest way to fry the planet, and private jets are the most polluting way to fly. Surely it’s a no brainer to ban private jets and stop expanding these luxury airports in the midst of a climate crisis? Survey after survey, as well as several citizens’ assemblies have shown this would be very popular and has widespread support from the general public.
“For most people, life has become more difficult. The cost of heating our homes, buying food and paying our bills has increased massively. So imagine looking out our windows to see yet more private jets flying billionaires around.
“Is this a fair society that we live in, or is there one set of rules for the majority, and another for the elites? Plans to expand the UK’s largest private jet airport seem to make this clear.”
It’s not the first time the airport has seen protests, with the last taking place in November. The airport still plans on increasing its annual flight limit by 40 percent subject to planning proposals.
