72°Good evening
In this photo issued by Extinction Rebellion UK, climate activist...

In this photo issued by Extinction Rebellion UK, climate activist Greta Thunberg, third right, takes part in a march to Farnborough Airport in southern England, Saturday Jan. 27, 2024. Greta Thunberg joined the march to protest the use of private jets and the expansion of an airport. Hundreds of local residents and activists holding banners and placards took part. Credit: AP

LONDON — Climate activist Greta Thunberg joined a march in southern England on Saturday to protest the use of private jets and the expansion of an airport.

Hundreds of local residents and activists holding banners and placards that read “Ban Private Jets" marched to Farnborough Airport, which mostly serves private aircraft. Some beat drums while others lit pink smoke flares.

The airport, located in Hampshire County about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of London, applied last year to increase its maximum number of flights from 50,000 to 70,000 a year.

Groups working to fight climate change, including the organizer of Saturday's protest, Extinction Rebellion, say private jets are much more polluting than commercial passenger airliners. Flights to and from Farnborough Airport carried an average of 2½ passengers per flight in 2022, the group said.

“It is clear that private jets are incompatible with ensuring present and future living conditions on this planet," Thunberg said in a video that Extinction Rebellion posted on social media.

“We’re not going to let this continue. We're not going to let the rich few who are responsible for the majority of aviation emissions get away with sacrificing people and the planet,” she added.

Farnborough Airport said that it was an important hub for business and corporate travel, and that it recognized the importance of reducing its environmental impact.

In this photo issued by Extinction Rebellion UK, climate activist...

In this photo issued by Extinction Rebellion UK, climate activist Greta Thunberg takes part in a march to Farnborough Airport in southern England, Saturday Jan. 27, 2024. Greta Thunberg joined the march to protest the use of private jets and the expansion of an airport. Hundreds of local residents and activists holding banners and placards took part. Credit: AP/Jonathon Vines

“The airport’s environmental footprint is a fraction that of a traditional commercial airport, yet it serves as one of the largest employment sites in the region," it said in a statement.

Thunberg, 21, a Swedish environmental campaigner who inspired a global youth movement against climate change, is expected to appear at a court in London next week to face a public order offense charge. She was arrested in October during a demonstration against a major oil and gas industry conference.

Thunberg was among the activists who were charged for seeking to block access to the Energy Intelligence Forum. She denied the charge.

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      Starbucks stores get makeover ... 2026 Air Show dates ... Isles' summer camp ends Credit: Newsday

      Trump megabill passes House ... Makeover for Starbucks stores ... 2026 Air Show dates ... Isles' summer camp ends

      Video Player is loading.
      Current Time 0:00
      Duration 0:00
      Loaded: 0%
      Stream Type LIVE
      Remaining Time 0:00
       
      1x
        • Chapters
        • descriptions off, selected
        • captions off, selected
          Starbucks stores get makeover ... 2026 Air Show dates ... Isles' summer camp ends Credit: Newsday

          Trump megabill passes House ... Makeover for Starbucks stores ... 2026 Air Show dates ... Isles' summer camp ends

          4th OF JULY

          25¢

          for 6 MONTHS

          Choose your deal >>

          Cancel anytime - New subscribers only