Just Stop Oil targets private planes at Stansted Airport

• Two Just Stop Oil protesters have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage
• They entered the private airfield at Stansted Airport at 5am on 20 June
• The used fire extinguishers to spray two private jets orange

Two Just Stop Oil protesters have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and interference with the use or operation of national infrastructure, after appearing to spray two private jets with orange paint at London Stansted Airport, which they claimed is where Taylor Swift stored her private jet. 

Just Stop Oil said the move was to demand the incoming UK government commit to working with other governments to agree a plan to end the extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030. 

The eco-group shared a video on X, posting: “Just Stop Oil paint private jets hours after Taylor Swift lands. Jennifer and Cole cut the fence into the private airfield at Stansted where Taylor Swift’s jet was allegedly parked, demanding an emergency treaty to end fossil fuels by 2030.”

It was also announced by the group on X that the activity was two activists who had “cut the fence into the private airfield at Stansted where taylorswift13’s jet is parked, demanding an emergency treaty to end fossil fuels by 2030”. 

According to the Just Stop Oil Group, 80% of the population have never taken a flight and just 1% of people cause 50% of global aviation emissions and “private jet users are responsible for up to 14x as much carbon emissions compared with a commercial flight”. 

Essex Police were called shortly before 5:10am and detained the two protestors, who have been described as a 22-year-old woman from Brighton and a 28-year-old woman from Dumbarton. 

Simon Anslow, chief superintendent, said: “Almost immediately after we were made aware of this incident, which took place away from the main passenger terminal, we were on the scene. 

“We maintain a constant presence at the airport and this presence will be heightened over the summer period. We have a good working relationship with Stansted Airport to ensure you can go about your travels with minimal impact. 

“We are not anti-protest, but we will always take action where criminal acts take place.” 

A spokesperson for Stansted Airport told ITVX: “Shortly after 5am, Essex Police arrested two protestors who had entered the private aviation area of the airfield, away from the runway and main passenger terminal. 

“As a precaution, runway operations were suspended for a short period, but no flights were disrupted, and the airport and flights are operating as normal.” 

Essex Police has since confirmed Taylor Swift’s private jet was not at the airport.