Just Stop Oil protesters, in their latest action, stormed London's Gatwick airport early Monday (Jul&nbsp;29). They are blocking the departure gates using suitcases with lock-on devices. The group informed about the action, saying that seven of their activists entered the airport's southern terminal at 8 am. Just Stop Oil also shared a photo on their website, showing the protesters blocking one of the entrances.&nbsp;

In a statement, the group said, "As long as political leaders fail to take swift and decisive action to protect our communities from the worst effects of climate breakdown, Just Stop Oil supporters, working with other groups internationally, will take the proportionate action necessary to generate much needed political pressure."

"This summer, areas of key importance to the fossil fuel economy will be declared sites of civil resistance around the world."

The group added that the situation is still developing at the airport. Meanwhile, Sky News reported, quoting a London Gatwick spokesperson, that the airport is "operating normally today". He added that the protesters have been arrested. "There are a small number of protestors at the airport who have now been arrested and are being removed from the airport."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/environmental-activists-arrested-for-spraying-orange-paint-on-private-jets-at-uk-airport-733581">Also Read:&nbsp;Environmental activists arrested for spraying orange paint on private jets at UK airport</a>

<h2>Other incidents involving Just Stop Oil activists</h2>

Just Stop Oil activists have been regularly conducting such acts in the United Kingdom to draw attention towards the impact of fossil fuels on the environment. Earlier this month, two of their activists were found guilty of criminal damage for throwing tomato soup at Vincent van Gogh‘s Sunflowers. The incident happened in 2022 when Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland threw soup at the painting at the National Gallery of Art in London. They also glued their hands to a wall. The two will be sentenced in September.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/environmental-activists-spray-orange-substance-on-uks-stonehenge-police-arrest-two-733259">Also read:&nbsp;Indian-origin man among two arrested by British police for spraying orange substance on UK's Stonehenge</a>

In October 2023, five activists of Just Stop Oil were arrested after they stopped a performance of Les Miserables at the Sondheim Theatre in London's West End. They stormed the stage holding banners during a performance of the song "Do You Hear the People Sing?"

They also disrupted a cricket match in June last year. Three of their members invaded the cricket pitch on Day 1 of the second Ashes Test being played at Lord’s. They threw an orange powder on the pitch, with England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow managing to lift one of the protesters off the field.&nbsp;

Just Stop Oil protesters, in their latest action, stormed London's Gatwick airport early Monday (Jul 29). They are blocking the departure gates using suitcases with lock-on devices.

Just Stop Oil protesters, in their latest action, stormed London's Gatwick airport early Monday (Jul 29). They are blocking the departure gates using suitcases with lock-on devices. The group informed about the action, saying that seven of their activists entered the airport's southern terminal at 8 am. Just Stop Oil also shared a photo on their website, showing the protesters blocking one of the entrances. In a statement, the group said, "As long as political leaders fail to take swift and decisive action to protect our communities from the worst effects of climate breakdown, Just Stop Oil supporters, working with other groups internationally, will take the proportionate action necessary to generate much needed political pressure." "This summer, areas of key importance to the fossil fuel economy will be declared sites of civil resistance around the world." The group added that the situation is still developing at the airport. Meanwhile, Sky News reported, quoting a London Gatwick spokesperson, that the airport is "operating normally today". He added that the protesters have been arrested. "There are a small number of protestors at the airport who have now been arrested and are being removed from the airport." Also Read: Environmental activists arrested for spraying orange paint on private jets at UK airport Other incidents involving Just Stop Oil activists Just Stop Oil activists have been regularly conducting such acts in the United Kingdom to draw attention towards the impact of fossil fuels on the environment. Earlier this month, two of their activists were found guilty of criminal damage for throwing tomato soup at Vincent van Gogh‘s Sunflowers. The incident happened in 2022 when Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland threw soup at the painting at the National Gallery of Art in London. They also glued their hands to a wall. The two will be sentenced in September. Also read: Indian-origin man among two arrested by British police for spraying orange substance on UK's Stonehenge In October 2023, five activists of Just Stop Oil were arrested after they stopped a performance of Les Miserables at the Sondheim Theatre in London's West End. They stormed the stage holding banners during a performance of the song "Do You Hear the People Sing?" They also disrupted a cricket match in June last year. Three of their members invaded the cricket pitch on Day 1 of the second Ashes Test being played at Lord’s. They threw an orange powder on the pitch, with England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow managing to lift one of the protesters off the field.

Just Stop Oil protesters enter Gatwick Airport, block departure gates

Staff shortage caused by a Covid outbreak has forced London’s second-busiest Gatwick Airport to cancel scores of flights and limit operations till Sunday.

Around 30 per cent of the staff of air traffic control is not working as they are down with Covid infection.

In a statement late Monday, the airport said a daily 800-flight limit, including both arrivals and departures, has been imposed until Sunday.

It said the daily cap will prevent last-minute cancellations and delays for passengers while National Air Traffic Services (NATS) gets back to normal.

The airport’s chief executive, Stewart Wingate, said the decision “means we can prevent as much disruptions as possible.”

<h2>Passengers affected&nbsp;</h2>

“The reason that we are doing this is to provide as much certainty as we can, not only to the airlines but most importantly to the passengers who will travel this week, that the flights that remain scheduled will actually operate," Wingate said.

Around 33 departure flights stand cancelled—the largest ever—for Friday (Sept 29), it added.

NATS issued an apology to passengers saying that the decision was taken due to a variety of medical reasons and that it can't manage the normal flows in and out of the airport.

Among the affected airlines include Easyjet, BA and Ryanair

<h2>Airline operators seek improvement&nbsp;</h2>

Johan Lundgren, chief executive officer of EasyJet said that it is "regrettable that a temporary limit on capacity at Gatwick Airport is required".

It is “the right action by the airport so on-the-day cancellations and delays can be avoided”, he said, adding that Gatwick Airport needs to work on a longer-term plan to improve the resilience of the air traffic service.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/poland-edu-min-takes-action-to-extradite-nazi-veteran-honoured-in-canadian-parliament-639985">Poland education minister working to extradite Nazi veteran honoured in Canadian Parliament</a>

Though the COVID-19-related restrictions in Britain were lifted last year, people are advised to stay away from work if they have tested positive for the virus.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadian-enforcement-officials-deny-report-over-delay-in-nijjar-death-probe-640023">Canadian enforcement officials deny report over delay in Nijjar death probe</a>

It comes weeks after NATS witnessed a massive data glitch, triggering widespread disruption of airlines and leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

The British aviation regulator is yet to launch a probe to determine why the country's air traffic control system suddenly collapsed.

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Staff shortage caused by a Covid outbreak has forced London’s second-busiest Gatwick Airport to cancel scores of flights and limit operations till Sunday. Around 30 per cent of the staff of air traffic control is not working as they are down with Covid infection.

Staff shortage caused by a Covid outbreak has forced London’s second-busiest Gatwick Airport to cancel scores of flights and limit operations till Sunday. Around 30 per cent of the staff of air traffic control is not working as they are down with Covid infection. In a statement late Monday, the airport said a daily 800-flight limit, including both arrivals and departures, has been imposed until Sunday. It said the daily cap will prevent last-minute cancellations and delays for passengers while National Air Traffic Services (NATS) gets back to normal. The airport’s chief executive, Stewart Wingate, said the decision “means we can prevent as much disruptions as possible.” Passengers affected “The reason that we are doing this is to provide as much certainty as we can, not only to the airlines but most importantly to the passengers who will travel this week, that the flights that remain scheduled will actually operate," Wingate said. Around 33 departure flights stand cancelled—the largest ever—for Friday (Sept 29), it added. NATS issued an apology to passengers saying that the decision was taken due to a variety of medical reasons and that it can't manage the normal flows in and out of the airport. Among the affected airlines include Easyjet, BA and Ryanair Airline operators seek improvement Johan Lundgren, chief executive officer of EasyJet said that it is "regrettable that a temporary limit on capacity at Gatwick Airport is required". It is “the right action by the airport so on-the-day cancellations and delays can be avoided”, he said, adding that Gatwick Airport needs to work on a longer-term plan to improve the resilience of the air traffic service. Also read | Poland education minister working to extradite Nazi veteran honoured in Canadian Parliament Though the COVID-19-related restrictions in Britain were lifted last year, people are advised to stay away from work if they have tested positive for the virus. Also read | Canadian enforcement officials deny report over delay in Nijjar death probe It comes weeks after NATS witnessed a massive data glitch, triggering widespread disruption of airlines and leaving thousands of passengers stranded. The British aviation regulator is yet to launch a probe to determine why the country's air traffic control system suddenly collapsed. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

London’s second-busiest Gatwick Airport limits flight operations due to Covid outbreak

London's Gatwick Airport said on Monday (September 25) that it cancelled over 160 flights until Sunday (October 1) due to an exceptional shortage of controllers, partly caused by the Covid pandemic.

London's Gatwick Airport said on Monday (September 25) that it cancelled over 160 flights until Sunday (October 1) due to an exceptional shortage of controllers, partly caused by the Covid pandemic. In a statement, Gatwick Airport said that until Sunday, flights will be limited to 800 per day, adding the decision had been taken in agreement with NATS, Britain's air traffic control service. This ceiling "will prevent last-minute cancellations and delays for passengers while NATS work through challenges driven by sickness and staffing constraints", the statement added. The statement also said that around 30 per cent of controllers were unavailable for a variety of medical reasons, including Covid. 'A difficult decision but...' Stewart Wingate, director of London Gatwick, said on Monday that the cancellation of flights was a difficult decision but the action taken meant the airlines could fly reliable flight programmes, which gave passengers more certainty that they would not face last-minute cancellations. Wingate said he received repeated assurances from NATS after temporary air traffic control restrictions were put in place at the airport earlier this month, but the situation was not improving. Meanwhile, a NATS spokesperson told The Guardian, "Given the levels of sickness we have experienced over the last few weeks, we believe it is the responsible thing to do to limit the number of flights this week in order to reduce the risk of daily disruption to passengers using the airport.” The spokesperson added that the air traffic control service was training and recruiting as fast as possible but pointed out that even experienced air traffic controllers take at least nine months to qualify at Gatwick. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UK: London airport cancels over 160 flights over air traffic control shortage