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Page last updated at 08:27 GMT, Wednesday, 10 June 2009 09:27 UK

Climate protest over private jets

Handout photo issued by Plane Stupid of climate change campaigners attempting to disrupt private jet flights by breaking into London City Airport
Police said five people were arrested and the airport remained open

Climate change campaigners have attempted to disrupt private jet flights at an airport by locking themselves to an aircraft.

Plane Stupid said five activists donned pinstripe suits and bowler hats before attaching themselves to the wheel of the jet at London City Airport.

The group said the protest in the early hours of Wednesday morning was against the "selfishness of private jet use".

Police said five people have been arrested and the airport remained open.

The four men and one woman have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass and criminal damage.

Guy Lachlan, chief executive of the British Business & General Aviation Association, said: "Aviation in total contributes about 2% of global emissions. Business aviation is responsible for less than 1% of that 2%.

"To put that into perspective, in the UK that is equivalent to each of us with a car driving just 12 miles in a year.

"I would ask the Plane Stupid people which they think would have a greater economic impact to the UK - each of us driving 12 miles less per year, or abolishing business aviation?"



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