Recent from talks
Plane Stupid
Knowledge base stats:
Talk channels stats:
Members stats:
Plane Stupid
Plane Stupid is a UK-focused group of environmental protesters who state their aim as wanting to see an end to airport expansion for what it sees as "unnecessary and unsustainable" flights. It is a loose association of autonomous regional groups, and is funded by donations.
The group was founded in 2005 by Joss Garman, Richard George and Graham Thompson. In January 2008 Joss Garman was named by The Guardian as one of its "50 people who could save the planet" for his campaigning work around aviation.
The group was formed in September 2005 when a group of activists decided to disrupt an international aviation conference held in a central London hotel. They released helium balloons with personal alarms up to the ceiling during the keynote speech by a senior British Airways executive.
In September 2006 Plane Stupid blocked a taxiway at East Midlands Airport for four hours. Leicestershire police said that officers were on scene within minutes, but by that time airport security already had the demonstrators contained and therefore they did not find it necessary to deploy all the resources available to them.
In October 2007 Plane Stupid blockaded the entrance to at Manchester Airport's departure lounge in Terminal 3.
Protesters protested the opening of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 in March 2008. A spokesman for Heathrow's owner, BAA plc, stated that the group was better off debating with the aviation industry than performing publicity stunts, and Michelle Di Leo of Flying Matters commented that the gesture was irresponsible.
On 8 December 2008 Plane Stupid activists occupied a taxiway at London Stansted Airport. The protest occurred during the 2008 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznań. They breached security whilst the runway was closed and prevented it from re-opening as planned at 05:00. Fifty-seven protesters were later arrested. BAA said protesters did not get on to the runway, but it was closed as a "precaution". Fifty-six Ryanair flights were cancelled and 56,000 passengers were delayed by the protest.
David Millward, Transport Editor for The Telegraph suggested that they should be called 'Plane Selfish' and Judge John Perkins told the court when sentencing 22 protesters to between 50 and 90 hours of community services that "Substantial loss was caused to the authorities that were carrying out lawful activities. I accept there is an honourable tradition of peaceful protest in this country, and long may it continue. But that does not justify the sort of activity that you were involved in." Ryanair is seeking £2.2 million in compensation for the disruption caused and almost £500,000 for "reputational damage" from BAA.
Hub AI
Plane Stupid AI simulator
(@Plane Stupid_simulator)
Plane Stupid
Plane Stupid is a UK-focused group of environmental protesters who state their aim as wanting to see an end to airport expansion for what it sees as "unnecessary and unsustainable" flights. It is a loose association of autonomous regional groups, and is funded by donations.
The group was founded in 2005 by Joss Garman, Richard George and Graham Thompson. In January 2008 Joss Garman was named by The Guardian as one of its "50 people who could save the planet" for his campaigning work around aviation.
The group was formed in September 2005 when a group of activists decided to disrupt an international aviation conference held in a central London hotel. They released helium balloons with personal alarms up to the ceiling during the keynote speech by a senior British Airways executive.
In September 2006 Plane Stupid blocked a taxiway at East Midlands Airport for four hours. Leicestershire police said that officers were on scene within minutes, but by that time airport security already had the demonstrators contained and therefore they did not find it necessary to deploy all the resources available to them.
In October 2007 Plane Stupid blockaded the entrance to at Manchester Airport's departure lounge in Terminal 3.
Protesters protested the opening of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5 in March 2008. A spokesman for Heathrow's owner, BAA plc, stated that the group was better off debating with the aviation industry than performing publicity stunts, and Michelle Di Leo of Flying Matters commented that the gesture was irresponsible.
On 8 December 2008 Plane Stupid activists occupied a taxiway at London Stansted Airport. The protest occurred during the 2008 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznań. They breached security whilst the runway was closed and prevented it from re-opening as planned at 05:00. Fifty-seven protesters were later arrested. BAA said protesters did not get on to the runway, but it was closed as a "precaution". Fifty-six Ryanair flights were cancelled and 56,000 passengers were delayed by the protest.
David Millward, Transport Editor for The Telegraph suggested that they should be called 'Plane Selfish' and Judge John Perkins told the court when sentencing 22 protesters to between 50 and 90 hours of community services that "Substantial loss was caused to the authorities that were carrying out lawful activities. I accept there is an honourable tradition of peaceful protest in this country, and long may it continue. But that does not justify the sort of activity that you were involved in." Ryanair is seeking £2.2 million in compensation for the disruption caused and almost £500,000 for "reputational damage" from BAA.
Recent media