Just Stop Oil protesters have disrupted Gatwick Airport after activists stormed its terminal during busy summer holiday travel season.
Eight protesters have now been arrested after the climate group blocked the departure gates in the Southern terminal this morning, with police warning of heavy security presence at the airport.
The activists were pictured sitting on the floor just yards away from the queue for the security checks as frustrated passengers tried to squeeze past them.
It comes after one of the busiest weekends for summer holiday travel in the UK.
Elsewhere, passengers on the Tube were hit by disruption after severe delays on the Metropolitan and Northern lines.
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No London Overground trains after track defect
Heavy police presence at Gatwick after protesters arrested
Are flights delayed at Gatwick Airport?
Just Stop Oil protesters storm Gatwick Airport
No London Overground trains after track defect
All services have been suspended between Stratford, Richmond and Clapham Junction after a track defect.
The issue at Hampstead Heath means trains are cancelled, delayed by up to 30 minutes or revised.
Disruption is expected until 3pm, National Rail warned.
It said: ‘A speed restriction between Willesden Junction and Gospel Oak means all lines are disrupted.’
Extinction Rebellion takes over building near Cabinet Office
Supporters of Extinction Rebellion have occupied the offices of Policy Exchange in Westminster after claiming the group is funded by fossil fuel firms.
Protesters staged a sit-in in the lobby of the Conservative think tank, while others erected a four-metre high tripod with the Grim Reaper in front of the main door.
They also doused the building with fake crude oil appearing to pour out of the windows into the street.
The roads near Policy Exchange just yards from the Cabinet Office and Treasury were briefly blocked, while the action appeared to have no impact on the Tube at St James’s Park and Westminster.
Policy Exchange and the Metropolitan Police were contacted for a comment.
Heavy police presence at Gatwick after protesters arrested
Eight Just Stop Oil protesters have been arrested after the group blocked a section of Gatwick Airport’s Southern terminal today.
However, no flights were disrupted, the police and Gatwick Airport confirmed.
A video posted by the group on its X account shows holidaymakers stepping over the protesters who used suitcase-like boxes to lock themselves together.
Sussex Police said the demonstration took place near the security entrance at about 8am.
The force said: ‘Eight people have been arrested on suspicion of interfering with public infrastructure, and a heightened police presence should be expected at this time.
‘The airport is functioning as usual, and no disruption has been caused by protest activity.’
No Gatwick Express trains after Clapham Junction disruption
Trains to and from Clapham Junction station have been cancelled and delayed after disruption.
Gatwick Express and Southern trains are affected at least until 12 noon, with cancellations, delays and revisions possible.
All Gatwick Express services are suspended.
As fewer trains can run through Clapham Junction, some Southern trains will be cancelled or altered, National Rail said.
London Overground and South Western Railway are not affected.
Are flights delayed at Gatwick Airport?
Gatwick Airport has commented on the situation at the departures lounge after the Just Stop Oil protest.
Operations at the airport are continuing on as ‘normal’ today despite the incident, the airport said.
There appeared to be no cancellations on the departure board this morning.
A spokesperson for Gatwick told Metro.co.uk: ‘London Gatwick is open and operating normally today.
‘There are a small number of protestors at the airport who have now been arrested and are being removed from the airport.’
Disruption on the Tube during morning rush hour
TfL warned of disruption on Hammersmith & City, Northern and Piccadilly lines this morning ahead of what is set to be one of the hottest days of the year.
Here are the affected lines.
Hammersmith & City – Severe delays between Liverpool Street and Barking due to an earlier signal failure.
Northern line – Severe delays between Camden Town and Kennington via Bank because of an earlier points failure at Camden Town, and minor delays on the rest of the line.
Piccadilly line – Earlier severe delays have been downgraded to minor between Uxbridge and Acton Town also due to a signal failure.
Just Stop Oil protesters storm Gatwick Airport
Just Stop Oil said seven protesters entered the airport’s Southern terminal this morning to disrupt flights.
They used suitcases with ‘lock-on’ devices to block the departure gates, Just Stop Oil said.
Passengers were seen trying to push past the blockade near the security check area shortly after 8am.
It is not yet known if flights have been delayed or cancelled due to the incident, but the airport’s departure board did not appear to show any immediate delays or cancellations.
Gatwick Airport was contacted for a comment.
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