Just Stop Oil activists block Gatwick Airport departure gates in London

Those jetting away from the UK’s second-busiest airport came face-to-face with climate protesters inside the terminal

Just Stop Oil protesters have blocked an entrance to a security search area at Gatwick airport in an apparent attempt to disrupt travellers trying to make their flights.

Seven activists entered the airport’s South Terminal this morning, with the group stating that “the situation is currently developing”.

A spokesperson for the aviation hub told The Independent that despite the protest, London Gatwick is open and “operating normally today”. 

“There are a small number of protesters at the airport who have now been arrested and are being removed from the airport,” they added.

Images and videos shared across social media, as well as on the group’s website, show the protesters sitting on the floor.

So far, it seems that most people are able to get past the protest without too much difficulty.

The Independent has contacted Sussex Police for further details.

🚨 BREAKING: GATWICK DEPARTURE GATES BLOCKED

✈️ 7 Just Stop Oil supporters have disrupted the southern terminal at Gatwick airport, joining 21 other groups in the @_oilkills international uprising.

🛢️ Demand our government Just Stop Oil by 2030 — https://t.co/xAyrqHDJYe pic.twitter.com/578htw3tAa

— Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) July 29, 2024

“As long as political leaders fail to take swift and decisive action to protect our communities from the worst effects of climate breakdown, Just Stop Oil supporters, working with other groups internationally, will take the proportionate action necessary to generate much needed political pressure,” the group has previously said in a statement.

“This summer, areas of key importance to the fossil fuel economy will be declared sites of civil resistance around the world.”

The group added today’s demo at Gatwick is a part of the international campaign Oil Kills, and said 21 groups across 12 countries have demonstrated at 17 airports so far.

According to Simon Calder, The Independent’s travel correspondent and who used to work in the security search area at Gatwick South terminal, the process will have made little difference to the flow of passengers.

“The location where the protesters sat on the floor is just one of several entrances to the security search area, with passengers simply needing to take a short detour.

“In addition, the timing was odd: the protest began after the big early morning surge of passengers, so the terminal will have been relatively quiet.”

Last week, Just Stop Oil activists suspected of planning to disrupt Heathrow Airport were arrested. None of the group were able to get into the airport

It also comes days after two other members were found guilty of criminal damage after throwing tomato soup at Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers inside London’s National Gallery.