Greta Thunberg (fourth from right) described flying on a private jet as being “completely disconnected from reality”
Greta Thunberg marched with activists protesting against airport expansion.
Farnborough Airport has submitted plans to move from its 50,000 annual cap to 70,000 flights.
Hampshire Airfield, which primarily operates private jets, said the changes would meet demand for business travel.
But protesters are calling for a complete ban, saying commercial jets pollute up to 30 times more than passenger planes.
Protesters marched from the city to the airport gate and lit smoke bombs.
The demonstration, organized by Extinction Rebellion Waverley and the Borders, began in Farnborough town center and marched to the airport gate, setting off flares and featuring drummers.
“The fact that the use of private jets is legally and socially acceptable today, as the climate emergency becomes more serious, is completely divorced from reality,” Thunberg said.
“Few examples have so clearly demonstrated how wealthy elites are sacrificing current and future living conditions on Earth in order to maintain extreme and violent lifestyles.”
Campaigners claim private jets are up to 30 times more polluting than airliners
A demonstration organized by Extinction Rebellion Waverley and Borders begins in Farnborough city center.
Todd Smith, a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion and co-founder of the airline workers organization Safe Landing, said: “The cost of heating your home, buying food and paying your bills has significantly increased. It has increased.
“Imagine looking out your window and seeing more private jets flying billionaires around.
“Is this a just society we live in, or are there rules for the majority and rules for the elite? Expansion plans for Britain’s largest private jet airport reveal that It seems there is.”
Sarah Hart, 42, an administrative assistant in the town, said: “I am completely appalled by the plan to expand the airport when commercial flights should be banned completely.”
Todd Smith (right) said the expansion would mean “more private jets for billionaires to fly.”
Protesters call for a total ban on private jets
Farnborough Airport estimates the plans will create 950 jobs in the south-east of England and add £220m to the UK economy.
An airport spokesperson said the airport was “an important gateway for business aviation connectivity, with the majority of flights being operated for business and corporate travel purposes.”
“The airport has a fraction of the environmental footprint of traditional commercial airports, yet serves as one of the region’s largest employment centers,” they said.
image source, Farnborough airport
Farnborough Airport proposes to increase flights by 40%
The airport also cited its ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental impact, noting that it is part of “just one of only a small number of airports in the UK” under the Act. Airport Carbon Certification Program.
