Climate Activists Block Private Jet Area at Dutch Airport

March 27, 2023
According to Extinction Rebellion, the action was intended to emphasize the demand to curb air traffic at the largest regional airport in the Netherlands.

Amsterdam — Several hundred climate activists from the group Extinction Rebellion blocked the private jet area of the airport in the Dutch city of Eindhoven on Saturday.

About 80 of them were arrested because they did not comply with police requests to leave the area, the ANP news agency reported. The activists had cut a hole in the fence to enter, according to police.

According to ANP estimates, up to 500 protesters had been involved.

They deliberately did not enter the runway so as not to disrupt normal air traffic, Extinction Rebellion explained.

Nevertheless, there were delays in the handling of flights due to precautionary measures, said an airport official. Private jets were not affected, however, as no such flights were scheduled for Saturday.

According to Extinction Rebellion, the action was intended to emphasize the demand to curb air traffic at the largest regional airport in the Netherlands.

In particular, the protest was directed against "luxury aviation." The environmental pollution caused by private jets is much higher per passenger than on a commercial airliner, they pointed out.

"Once again, we want to take a stand against this kind of flying, which should not be allowed in view of the climate crisis," said an Extinction Rebellion spokeswoman.

Police launched investigations against participants in the action. "They entered the premises of Eindhoven Airport without permission and that is a criminal offence," a police spokesman said.

The demonstrators had been given until 2 pm (1300 GMT) to leave peacefully. An hour later, police began arresting people who defied the order.

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