Heathrow airport said that its runways and taxiways “remain open and fully operational” this morning, despite “attempts to disrupt the airport through the illegal use of drones in protest nearby”.
Last month environmental campaigners Heathrow Pause announced their intention to disrupt ground flights today (Friday September 13), by flying drones into the airport’s restricted zone.
But the Metropolitan Police reports that a total of nine activists have been arrested “in relation to a protest planned to take place at Heathrow Airport” and a dispersal order has been put in place around the airport until 0430 on Sunday September 15.
Heathrow Pause said on its Twitter page this morning that “Heathrow [is] using signal jamming to frustrate early flights”.
And in a statement on its Twitter page, Heathrow airport said:
“Heathrow’s runways and taxiways remain open and fully operational despite attempts to disrupt the airport through the illegal use of drones in protest nearby.
“We will continue to work with the authorities to carry out dynamic risk assessment programmes and keep our passengers flying safely on their journeys today.
“We agree with the need for climate change action but illegal protest activity designed with the intention of disrupting thousands of people, is not the answer.
“The answer to climate change is in constructive engagement and working together to address the issue, something that Heathrow remains strongly committed to do.”
In March, new UK legislation came into force that extended ‘no-fly’ zones around airports for drones and model aircraft from 1 km to 5 km.
It came after widespread disruption at Gatwick Airport last Christmas caused by drone sightings.
Business Traveller will update this page if there are any changes to operations at the airport today.