EXTINCTION Rebellion (XR) activists protested at Gatwick Airport today over plans to increase passenger numbers to 80 million a year by 2047 — up from a record 46.5 million in 2019.

They demonstrated as the six-month government planning inspectorate examination began at the Sandman Signature hotel mooring the iconic XR Pink Boat in front of the venue with banners reading “Fewer Flights, Not More” and “Flying To Extinction.”

They were accompanied by drummers from XR Rhythms with another banner reading “Flight Reductions, Not Airport Expansion” stretched across the dual carriageway outside.

Activists from the Green Party, the Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign, Communities Against Gatwick Noise and Emissions and the Campaign to Protect Rural England also attended.

Former Gatwick pilot and XR spokesman Todd Smith said: “We’re often told that airport expansion is good for jobs, however, the biggest threat to job security is climate breakdown and enforced regulations leading to a major industry crash.”

The airport was contacted for comment.