Black Lives Matter Activists Held Over London City Airport Protest

Flights at London City Airport were severely disrupted after Black Lives Matter UK protesters crossed the Royal Docks and "occupied" the runway.

The Metropolitan Police said it was called to the airport at 5.40am to reports of protesters "who made their way airside".

Nine demonstrators erected a tripod on the runway and chained themselves to it, forcing police to get "specialist officers" to cut them from the structure.

All of the protesters were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass, being unlawfully airside and of breaching London City Airport bylaws.

The runway was reopened at around 12pm, the airport said.

More than 120 flights were delayed or cancelled, while flights which were due to arrive at London City from Dublin, Rotterdam, Luxembourg, New York and Frankfurt were diverted to other London airports. 

It is believed that activists reached the runway after crossing the Royal Docks in a rubber dinghy.

Black Lives Matter spokesman Jacob Oti, 22, declined to explain how the protesters gained access to the site, but confirmed it was via the Thames.

In a statement the group said that its activists carried out the demonstration "in order to highlight the UK's environmental impact on the lives of black people".

It added that the planned expansion of London City Airport "consigns the local community in Newham to further deterioration of their environment". 

The statement read: "The average salary of a London City Airport user is €136,000 (£113,800) and 63% of them work in business, finance or other business services.

"It is an airport designed for the wealthy.

"At the same time 40% of Newham's population struggle to survive on £20,000 or less."

Speaking to Sky News, a Black Lives Matter UK spokeswoman said: "Today we are saying all black lives matter and that includes the lives of those who live close to airports, people who are going to grow up with asthma and skin conditions. 

"That also includes the lives of people living in Guinea, Eritrea and Africa who are the most vulnerable and least resilient to climate change."

She added: "This is an airport which is facilitating the travel and free movement of a very specific, tiny elite."

The protest comes a month after ten Black Lives Matter UK activists were arrested after a demonstration near Heathrow Airport.

One of those caught up in the disruption was Eastenders actor Danny Dyer, who tweeted his thanks to staff for "looking after me and my wife".

Passenger Casey Collins said customers were unaware of the runway protest until after 8am, and assumed the delays were related to IT glitches on British Airways' check-in systems.

He said: "The board was saying all BA flights were on hold, and that there would be updates at 8am, so we thought it was a continuation of the problems at Heathrow and Gatwick with BA.

"We then realised that things were more serious because all flights were being affected.

"It started to get a little bit out of control in terms of staff letting people know."

Another passenger, Chanel de Kock, added: "I wish the airport would tighten their security as it's a bit worrying that people can access the runway so easily in the current state of our times, and also that the airport will be better at giving information to people at the airport.

"It was absolute chaos and really badly handled by what I thought was my favourite airport."

The airport apologised to passengers for the disruption, adding: "It is extremely regrettable that a small number of people feel it is appropriate to protest in such a dangerous manner.

"A thorough investigation is now under way into the circumstances ... and we will take any actions identified as necessary as a result."