Just Stop Oil activists spark major delays as they block departure gates at Gatwick Airport

Eco-zealots shared an image which appeared to show the protesters blocking an entrance.

"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," the group said in a statement.

"This summer, areas of key importance to the fossil fuel economy will be declared sites of civil resistance around the world."

Holidaymakers were seen carrying luggage over the silent activists.

The protest was part of a wider disruptive strategy involving 21 other groups.

The international uprising, known as Oil Kills, covered 17 airports across Europe, Canada and the US.

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It comes after 10 protesters were arrested at Heathrow Airport or nearby on Wednesday following a Europe-wide campaign threatening summer travel chaos.

The latest protest comes at a time when thousands of Britons will hope to jet off to get some sun over the summer holidays.

Just Stop Oil also shared a petition alongside footage of the protest.

The activists were charged with conspiracy to interfere with key national infrastructure under Section 7 of the Public Order Act 2003.

Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland, both aged 22, threw a can of Heinz tomato soup over the masterpiece at the National Gallery in London in October 2022.

Responding to the latest incident, Gatwick Airport stressed services were not facing major disruption.

A London Gatwick spokesperson said: “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.”

Downing Street later claimed Just Stop Oil protesters were not “winning people around” to their cause by blocking departure gates at Gatwick Airport.

Asked for the Prime Minister’s message to the demonstrators, his official spokesman told reporters: “Obviously we recognise the democratic right of people to peacefully express their views, but obviously they should do so within the bounds of the law. And clearly being seen to significantly disrupt people’s summer holidays is no way of winning people around to your cause.

“I can’t comment specifically on the case that you’re reporting which is obviously ongoing, but we obviously thank anyone involved for preventing any significant disruption.”