More than 9,000 flights are expected to operate in UK airspace on Friday, setting a new record. The surge is driven by the bank holiday weekend, the Monaco Grand Prix, and the close of the Cannes film festival, with a notable increase in private jets to the French Riviera.
The previous record was 8,854 flights, set on the same date last year. Air traffic controllers anticipate further increases next week. The record comes as over 100 school climate protests take place across the UK, part of a global strike highlighting the climate crisis, with aviation being a fast-growing source of greenhouse gas emissions.
Heathrow, Britain's busiest airport, reported a record 6.79 million passengers in April. It announced plans to introduce an ultra-low emission zone from 2022 and a congestion charge for cars and taxis from 2026, when its third runway is due to open.
Friends of the Earth released a report accusing the Department for Transport of 'going rogue' on climate by pursuing road-building and the third runway without due regard for carbon emissions. Climate campaigner Muna Suleiman said: 'We simply cannot allow aviation to continue expanding at this rate if we’re to have any chance of preventing further damage.'
