The protesters represented various activist groups, from Greenpeace to Stay Grounded, Extinction Rebellion and Scientists Rebellion.
EBACE 2023 Protest
Credit: Aviation Week Network
Geneva Airport said its operations were disrupted for an hour on May 23 due to climate activists.
EBACE 2023 Protest
Credit: Aviation Week Network
About 100 activists arrived at the airport with bikes and found an access point to breach.
EBACE 2023 Protest
Credit: Aviation Week Network
The EBACE static display was locked down and shuttle bus transportation paused.
EBACE 2023 Protest
Credit: Aviation Week Network
Protestors cut a fence to access the Geneva Airport ramp, which is a major security breach. Airline and general aviation traffic at the airport was temporarily suspended. Seven flights were diverted to either Zurich or Lyon, the airport said.
EBACE 2023 Protest
Credit: Aviation Week Network
Police and private security were quick to respond.
EBACE 2023 Protest
Credit: Aviation Week Network
All the protestors were arrested by police.
EBACE 2023 Protest
Credit: Aviation Week Network
“This is a completely unacceptable form of protest,” NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen and EBAA Chairman Juergen Wiese said in a joint statement. “We condemn the action, and the threat it has posed to... safety and security.”
As executive editor of MRO and business aviation, Lee Ann Shay directs Aviation Week's coverage of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), including Inside MRO, and business aviation, including BCA.
