Climate activists spray paint private jets at London airport

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) – Just Stop Oil activists on Thursday broke into London Stansted Airport, spraying private jets orange and demanding a treaty to phase out fossil fuels by 2030.

The two protesters entered the private airfield at Stansted Airport at around 5 a.m. local time (0400GMT) and painted two private jets by using fire extinguishers filled with orange paint, the group said in a statement.

Jennifer Kowalski and Cole Macdonald entered the area where American singer Taylor Swift’s jet is currently stationed, said the group, which also shared a video clip of the protest.

On X, Just Stop Oil said the two took action to demand an emergency treaty to end fossil fuels by 2030.

"We’re living in two worlds: one where billionaires live in luxury, able to fly in private jets away from the other, where unlivable conditions are being imposed on countless millions," said Macdonald, a 22-year-old activist.

Another activist Kowalski, 28, said: “Over the years, I’ve had to realise that even working in sustainability provides me with essentially no ability to make the necessary changes to prevent the complete collapse of our natural systems. I have to take desperate measures to make my voice heard."

In the statement, Just Stop Oil mentioned the jets' share in carbon emissions, saying private jet users are "responsible for up to 14x as much carbon emissions compared with a commercial flight."

"A single flight in a private jet can easily emit as much carbon dioxide as the average annual carbon footprint for an EU citizen – 8.2 tonnes," it noted.

A spokesperson for the group vowed to continue taking "proportional action" necessary to put pressure on politicians to take more ambitious steps.

Later, Essex police said in a statement that the two protesters had been arrested following reports regarding the incident.

"A 22-year-old woman from Brighton, and a 28-year-old woman from Dumbarton, have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and interference with the use or operation of national infrastructure," the police said in a statement.