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Nine held after airport protest Nine charged over airport protest
(about 1 hour later)
Protesters who barricaded themselves inside a "wire fortress" on the tarmac at Aberdeen Airport have been taken into custody. Nine people have been charged after protesters barricaded themselves inside a "wire fortress" on the tarmac at Aberdeen Airport.
Seven members of the campaign group Plane Stupid were detained at about 0820 GMT after releasing themselves. Seven people were detained on an airport taxiway at about 0820 GMT, five hours after the protest by campaign group Plane Stupid began.
Two other protesters, who remained on the roof of the main terminal building, were detained later. Two other protesters, who had been on the roof of the main terminal building, were detained shortly after.
The protest began at about 0300 GMT. There were no flights to or from the airport until after 0900 GMT. Five men and four women were expected to appear in court on Wednesday.
The protestors were campaigning against any expansion of the airport, claiming it would lead to more harmful carbon emissions.
Plane Stupid campaigners protest at Aberdeen AirportPlane Stupid campaigners protest at Aberdeen Airport
A spokesman for Aberdeen Airport had branded the action "dangerous and highly irresponsible". The protesters were campaigning against any expansion of the airport, claiming it would lead to more harmful carbon emissions.
A spokesman for Aberdeen Airport branded the action "dangerous and highly irresponsible".
Airport managing director Kevin Brown said one of the key concerns for staff had been to ensure the departure of an air ambulance.Airport managing director Kevin Brown said one of the key concerns for staff had been to ensure the departure of an air ambulance.
He said the flight, bound for Inverness, had been held up by the protesters, but not for a "significant" length of time.He said the flight, bound for Inverness, had been held up by the protesters, but not for a "significant" length of time.
A Plane Stupid spokesperson said the group left voluntarily on public safety grounds after being informed of the needs of the paediatric team on board.A Plane Stupid spokesperson said the group left voluntarily on public safety grounds after being informed of the needs of the paediatric team on board.
A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson confirmed: "We received an urgent request for a paediatric team in a fixed wing aircraft to travel from Aberdeen to Inverness to attend to an ill baby. The flight was able to depart Aberdeen airport after a slight delay."A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesperson confirmed: "We received an urgent request for a paediatric team in a fixed wing aircraft to travel from Aberdeen to Inverness to attend to an ill baby. The flight was able to depart Aberdeen airport after a slight delay."
Mr Brown said that, out of 350 flights scheduled for the day, 10 had been disrupted.Mr Brown said that, out of 350 flights scheduled for the day, 10 had been disrupted.
Flights to Heathrow, Paris and Amsterdam were among those delayed by the protest.Flights to Heathrow, Paris and Amsterdam were among those delayed by the protest.
I think it probably is possible to protect Aberdeen Airport perhaps a little better and some thought needs to be put into that Dr David CapitanchikSecurity expertI think it probably is possible to protect Aberdeen Airport perhaps a little better and some thought needs to be put into that Dr David CapitanchikSecurity expert
Some offshore helicopter movements were also disrupted.Some offshore helicopter movements were also disrupted.
Plane Stupid said its protesters had dressed in the style of property tycoon Donald Trump, who is backing the expansion of the airport after his plans to build a luxury golf resort in the area were approved.Plane Stupid said its protesters had dressed in the style of property tycoon Donald Trump, who is backing the expansion of the airport after his plans to build a luxury golf resort in the area were approved.
They draped a banner across the front of the terminal building, close to the BAA Aberdeen sign, which said "Nae Trump games with climate change".They draped a banner across the front of the terminal building, close to the BAA Aberdeen sign, which said "Nae Trump games with climate change".
During the protest, Dan Glass from Glasgow said: "We're here to say the expansion cannot happen, and our generation won't let it happen."
Protester Tilly Gifford, 24, also from Glasgow, spoke to BBC Scotland from the helicopter taxiway, to the east of the main runway.
She said the demonstrators had set up a makeshift golf course within a fortified fence.
Ms Gifford said before they were detained: "Four of the protesters have their necks locked to the fortified fence.
Protesters broke through the perimeter fence
"We are trying to close down the airport. We can measure its success in terms of stopping carbon emissions.
"We are here to highlight that aviation is the fastest growing source of carbon emissions."
Ms Gifford said that all the protesters were Scottish residents and they were linked to the UK protest which has carried out similar action at airports in England.
Aberdeen-based security expert Dr David Capitanchik said the breach showed that airports needed to be well defended.Aberdeen-based security expert Dr David Capitanchik said the breach showed that airports needed to be well defended.
He told BBC Scotland: "I think it probably is possible to protect Aberdeen Airport perhaps a little better and some thought needs to be put into that, I would say."He told BBC Scotland: "I think it probably is possible to protect Aberdeen Airport perhaps a little better and some thought needs to be put into that, I would say."
'Not happy'
Passenger Shane Fenton, 29, from Aberdeen, had been due to fly to London for a connecting flight to Trinidad.Passenger Shane Fenton, 29, from Aberdeen, had been due to fly to London for a connecting flight to Trinidad.
He said: "We'll hopefully get a later flight, but there were people next to me due to go to Disney World and they weren't happy.He said: "We'll hopefully get a later flight, but there were people next to me due to go to Disney World and they weren't happy.
"I think they [the protesters] are terrorists - I think they should have been hosed down.""I think they [the protesters] are terrorists - I think they should have been hosed down."
A Grampian Police spokesperson said: "All nine people, five of whom are males and four of whom are females, have now been taken into police custody and the incident has been resolved peacefully.
"Grampian Police are currently working with the BAA to minimise the impact this incident has had.
"An investigation into the incident is currently ongoing at the moment and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course. As such it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."
In December last year Plane Stupid activists caused disruption at Stansted Airport in Essex by occupying the runway.In December last year Plane Stupid activists caused disruption at Stansted Airport in Essex by occupying the runway.