14 August 2007Dan Milmo
In the long haul check-in queues at Heathrow yesterday, the climate camp protesters' cause drew a sympathetic reaction. But travellers' determination to fly remained undimmed during another busy day at Britain's largest airport.
Air travel is growing at 5% a year, despite the green backlash against the aviation industry and its contribution to global warming. Long haul passengers at Heathrow acknowledged the camp's grievances but had mixed opinions about the threat of direct action, which could paralyse an airport already operating beyond original capacity as more than 67 million people pass through each year.
"We all realise that if you do not take direct action these days no-one takes any notice. I have got a lot of sympathy with direct action. It would be irritating, but they are making a point that many people are not brave enough to make," said Rob Swift, 40, on a trip to New York.
He added: "I have a lot of admiration for people who can pack up their jobs for a week and go to the camp instead of taking a holiday. If you see Joe Bloggs protesting, it's a hell of a lot more impressive than Swampy."
Ian Bruce, 44, who was taking his family to California, said sympathy for the camp would soon run out if direct action halted flights: "Everybody thinks the camp is a great idea so long as it does not aff ect their lifestyle."
Other passengers, mindful of successive summers of disruption, said direct action was not necessary.
"It would undermine their cause. They can make a political point without disrupting passengers ," said Zambia-bound Terry Wright, 57.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2148356,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=travel
