Heathrow faces chaos as eco-activists threaten to fly DRONES over airport grounding all flights
PASSENGERS are set to face travel chaos as eco-activists are threatening to fly drones over Heathrow Airport, grounding all flights.
Plans for the major disruption were released this morning as the group have pledged to disrupt airport operations on September 13 - when thousands of holidaymakers are expected to return before school starts.
The group called Heathrow Pause said it plans to "exploit a loophole" by flying toy drones within restricted airspace.
Their message reads: "We can’t stand aside any longer. As an act of conscience, we have to act.
"From the 13th September, we will exploit a loophole in Heathrow airport's health and safety protocols and fly toy drones within its restricted zone.
"It is our understanding that the airport’s authorities will respond by grounding all flights. Drones will not be flown in flight paths and there will be no risk of harm to anyone."
They released a 22-page document detailing the extent of their planned actions, including a map of where they plan to fly the drones.
The airport will be given one hour's notice before each drone flight, "drone use will start at about 3am" and will fly in "regular intervals throughout the day".
The group appears to be unflinched in facing criminal charges for their actions - should they go ahead.
The message continues: "We know that we will be arrested. We know that we face significant prison sentences for our actions.
"We have lives, we have families, we do not wish to go to prison. But we are steadfast in our resolve. We do this in defence of life.
"We do it because our consciences leave us no other choice but to act."
When is it illegal to use drones?
An unmanned aircraft must not be flown within the flight restriction zone of a protected aerodrome.
Where there is an air traffic control unit a flight at any height is prohibited.
Drones have been banned from flying above 400ft, and within one kilometre (0.6 miles) of airport boundaries.
The use of drones with cameras is also banned in congested areas or at a public event.
Anyone breaching these restrictions will face penalties of up to £2,500 and could be charged with recklessly or negligently acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft or any person in an aircraft.
This has a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
Other measures being considered include giving police the power to issue on-the-spot fines of up to £300 for misuse and the ability to seize drones being used irresponsibly.
Heathrow Pause is threatening to shut down the airport as part of its efforts to pressure the Government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to stop plans for a third runway being built.
About 219,000 passengers use Heathrow on an average day, or 80.1million a year.
The protest group's plans follows chaos caused by drones at London Gatwick in December, when sightings resulted in 1,000 flights being grounded.
A Heathrow spokesperson said: “We agree with the need to act on climate change. This is a global issue that requires constructive engagement and action. Committing criminal offences and disrupting passengers is counterproductive.
“Flying of any form of drone near Heathrow is illegal and any persons found doing so will be subject to the full force of the law.
"We are working closely with the Met Police and will use our own drone detection capability to mitigate the operational impact of any illegal use of drones near the airport.”
A Met Police spokeswoman said: "We are aware of reports of a protest planned at Heathrow Airport on Friday, 13 September.
"Any drone flown into the path of an aircraft has the potential to cause great harm and endanger those on board.
"Anyone caught illegally using a drone within the proximity of an airport can expect to be dealt with in line with the law."
The Extinction Rebellion group said in a statement they it "does not support an action at Heathrow as designed at this time" and any action "will be independent of Extinction Rebellion UK".
It comes in the wake of Extinction Rebellion protests, which brought traffic gridlock an road closures in London in April.
Protests in Parliament Square, Waterloo Bridge, Oxford Circus and Marble Arch led to road closures and traffic gridlock for 10 days.
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More than 1,000 people were arrested after campaigners glued themselves to DLR trains and parked a boat in the middle of Oxford Circus.
Last month, the eco-warriors launched a five-day "summer uprising" in Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds and London earlier this week by blocking the roads and bring traffic to a standstill.
The climate activists staged a series of "creative acts of civil disobedience", blocking specific locations, bridges and roads.
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