Taylor Swift's jet spared activists' orange paint
June 20, 2024
Two climate activists have been arrested after they spray painted planes at an airport near London where Taylor Swift's private jet had reportedly landed.
The group Just Stop Oil said on social media that two women "cut the fence into the private airfield at Stansted where Taylor Swift's jet is parked, demanding an emergency treaty to end fossil fuels by 2030."
But Essex Police later said Swift's aircraft was not at the airport at the time of the incident.
Swift, who has previously attracted criticism for her use of private jets, is currently on tour in the UK
In 2022 she topped a list of celebrities who are "the worst private jet CO2 offenders" created by sustainability marketing firm Yard. The report found that her jet had flown 170 times in 2022, with total flight emissions reaching 8,293.54 tonnes — 1,184.8 times more than the average person.
Police say no threat to passengers
A spokesperson for Stansted Airport said the incident took place at the VIP airfield 5 kilometers (3 miles) away from the main terminal.
Police also said there was no threat to the public.
"Almost immediately after we were made aware of this incident, which took place away from the main passenger terminal, we were on the scene," chief superintendent Simon Anslow said.
"We maintain a constant presence at the airport and this presence will be heightened over the summer period."
Stonehenge cleaned in time for solstice
The jet incident comes a day after Just Stop Oil activists spray painted Stonehenge in southwest England.
By Thursday, heritage authorities had removed most of the paint from the prehistoric UNESCO World Heritage Site in time for the summer solstice.
The solstice typically draws crowds of spiritualists, druids and sun worshippers to the stone landmark.
zc/lo (AFP, AP, dpa)