Heathrow cancels flights after protesters chain themselves on runway

Heathrow Airport was forced to cancel 13 flights on Monday after activists cut through a fence and chained themselves together on a runway to protest against the possible expansion of Britain's biggest airport.

In a stunt which raised questions about the security of Europe's busiest airport, a group of at least 12 activists said it took only minutes to get through the apparently unguarded wire fence at around 02:30 GMT allowing them access to the northern runway.
The protest was eventually ended by police more than seven hours later, the airport said.

The activists, from a group called 'Plane Stupid' which opposes the growth of aviation, said a 23 billion pound ($36 billion) plan to build a third runway at Heathrow would increase carbon emissions and would trigger further protests.

“These individuals have since been removed by police,” Heathrow Airport said in a statement.

“Both runways were operational throughout, although there have been some delays and a few cancellations.”

Although frustrating for business and summer holiday travellers, the 13 cancellations are a small part of the average 1 290 daily landings and departures at Heathrow.

The size of the runway meant most planes were able to take off during the protest.

Police said they had made nine arrests.