Inuit chief slams airport plans

Passenger numbers at Stansted could increase to 35m

An Inuit community leader has said his people's future would be damaged by any extension to Stansted Airport.

Aqqaluk Lynge, head of Greenland's indigenous population, plans to air his views on plans to expand the Essex airport at a public inquiry on Friday.

Mr Lynge, called upon by the Stop Stansted Expansion group, said airports played a large part in climate change.

The British Airport Authority said plans to increase flights and passenger numbers were essential to the economy.

BAA wants to raise the number of flights leaving Stansted from 241,000 to 264,000 a year and up the current passenger number cap of 25m passengers annually to 35m.

Human-induced climate change is undermining the ecosystem upon which Inuit depend Aqqaluk Lynge

Airport expansion plans were rejected by Uttlesford District Council and BAA is appealing against the decision.

A public inquiry into the proposals is running until October.

The Stop Stansted Expansion Group has told the inquiry more passengers would damage the environment and increase noise pollution.

"Climate change is not just a theory to us in the Arctic - it is a stark and dangerous reality," said Mr Lynge.

"Human-induced climate change is undermining the ecosystem upon which Inuit depend for their physical and cultural survival.

"You may say the expansion of Stansted airport will play only a small part in increasing climate change but everyone can say that about almost everything they do.

"It is an excuse for doing nothing.

"The result of that attitude would be catastrophic."