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Plane Stupid protestors face £2m claim from Ryanair
Anna Davis08.01.09
A GROUP of climate-change protesters who brought Stansted airport to a standstill face the threat of being sued for more than £2million by Ryanair, the Standard has learned.
Protest group Plane Stupid claims more than 50 of its members who occupied a taxiway at the airport last month are being targeted for the cash.
It comes after 22 Plane Stupid members were sentenced at Harlow magistrates' court yesterday over the blockade after admitting aggravated trespass. Most were ordered to do between 50 and 90 hours of community service each.
The protesters cut through the perimeter fence at Stansted on 8 December and chained themselves to metal fencing near the runway, causing the airport to close for five hours. The court heard 52,000 passengers were delayed.
District judge John Perkins said: "Substantial loss was caused to the authorities that were carrying out lawful activities.
"I accept there is an honourable tradition of peaceful protest in this country, and long may it continue. But that does not justify the sort of activity that you were involved in." Police charged 49 people with the rest due to appear at a later date.
Ryanair's lawyers have, with the police, lodged a €2.5 million (£2.2 million) compensation claim for loss of revenue after being forced to cancel 57 flights. It is also seeking €500,000 for "reputational damage".
A spokesman for the airline refused to rule out suing individual protesters in the civil courts. He said: "At the moment our claim is against Stansted, but we would not rule out seeking compensation from other parties at a later date."
Joe Ryle, a sixth-form student from Hornsey who was given a three-month conditional discharge, said: "It's pretty scary what's happening now. Most of us haven't got any money and a fair few of us are at school and the ones at university already have big debts.
"It seems if Ryanair follows this through and wins, we'll be paying money to Michael O'Leary for decades, and all because we think our parents' generation failed us so we decided to actually do something about climate change."
Leo Murray, a Plane Stupid spokesman sentenced to 70 hours' community service, said: "The sentences were surprisingly harsh. But we went into it with our eyes open and we are ready to take the consequences."
Reader views (23)
I hope these ludies do get sued and end up ruined their nothing but a whole bunch of stupid annoying green acivists pests
- Flu-Bird, Etna,CA USA
Leo Murray said "But we went into it with our eyes open and we are ready to take the consequences. Surely this must include having to pay for loss of profits caused by your actions.
- Robert, London
If Ryanair had to pay for the damage they are doing to the environment for one day (in carbon offset terms) it would be far more than that!
- Charlie, London
I blame Stansted Airport.
Plane Stupid, are young students, and are, going by their own choice of names, plain stupid.
Stansted Airport should have taken the inititive to drag the fences off the Runway, and leave them locked to the fences in one of the car-parks.
- Mark, Liverpool, England
It takes extreme protesters like the 'stupids' to bring attention to climate change so we can do something about it before it's too late!
- Izzy, London
Ryanair has my support. Crush the "stupids".
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke
For once Ryanair is making sense. It is time that Rent-A-Crowd was made to pay up.
- Dannyp, Egham
Go Ryanair!
- Victor, Miami, USA
This story has really put a big smile on my face. Thank you Michael Ryan and Ryanair.
I have just booked a return flight with you to express my support.
- Andrew , London
Ryanair is perfectly justified in their actions. These children have been conned into an anti-carbon ideology that established its credibility through pop culture represenatives and media. If there is one country where Reason will triumph it is the U.K. As a Canadian and God willing a U.K resident this year, I am thrilled that the pseudo-science these children subscribe to is going to be debunked through the legal system and the good old fashion 'scientific method'. Cheers!
- Peter Manousakos, Montreal, Canada
Sorry Richard of London but it looks like you are the only one supporting these idiots.
- Casper Slides, France at the moment
It's really very simple.
England is a law-abiding country. These people broke the law and therefore must bear the consequences.
100% support the magistrate and Ryanair and hope the other airlines lodge claims as well.
If people think their beliefs justify them breaking the law then our sociatey has no future, as we'll just degenerate into the law being whoever is strongest or most brutal - a la Adolf, Josef, et al....
P.S. Plane Stupid is misspelt - it's actually Plain Stupid.
- Laurence, London
In the middle of the coldest winter for years climate change clowns continue to think they have a case, sue the pants off them Rynair.
- Ken, france
"We went into it with our eyes open and prepared to face the consequences". Be prepared, be very prepared because Ryanair are fully justified in claiming against each and every one of you. All actions have consequences. Go for them Ryanair!!
- Colin Macpherson, Gramat France
As a regular user of Ryanair I have nothing but praise for the services provided by the company. They have forced down the ticket prices of other airlines by their competetive marketing. They work on a slim profit margin and depend on a high turnover.
I hope Ryanair explore every avenue to reclaim the loss of revenue from these stupid, brainless idiots. An "attachment of earnings" order on their existing or future income may be the answer.
- Graham, Bedfordshire
Every airline that was affected should do the same.
- Frank, Home Counties, England
So this is how big business responds to the threat of climate change - by using its power to threaten anyone who challenges its destruction of all our futures.
Well done the protestors - many people support you.
- Richard, London
This will send a message to these public school prigs that they have to be responsible for their actions.
So what if it comes out of the trust funds? Do they really think that anyone is going to be interested?
- George, London
If it happens it will help to wipe the smug smiles off their plain stupid faces.
- David, Peterborough
Well done Ryanair, let these eco loonies have a taste of their own medicine.
After all loads of passengers had to pay out money for their actions.
- P I Staker, London
No, Mr Ryle. If you find yourself with a large debt it will be because you chose to break the law. Good luck to Ryanair, it's time these smug twits paid the price for their actions.
- Nick, London
The protesters shouldn't worry about their liability for damages, that nice man from Lush cosmetics has publicly promised to pay their legal costs.
- Blackstone Coke, London
It is very good news that Ryanair is attempting to sue the members of the Plane Stupid organisation, £2 million being a rather low estimate by todays standards I think. Even if these oik's cannot actally pay the damages it may be possible to pursue them and perhaps force them into bankruptcy. Maybe a ban on the members from even entering airports under anti terrorism legislation could be looked at. I hope Ryanair, a company which I consider to be a world leader in providing a creditable service, keeps on pursuing them through every possible court in the UK and Europe to ensure these people can never use air travel even for their own convenience for the foreseeable future. Good on Ryanair !!!
- Nick Holland, glasgow scotland
