Extinction Rebellion target private jets company in Inverness Airport protest

An Extinction Rebellion protest has been held at Inverness Airport targeting a private jets company.

The group says it is highlighting contradictions between Blackbird Air’s CEO Anders Povlsen’s enterprise and his Wildland commitment to nature.

Protesters have been waving banners outside the airport saying ‘Ban Private Jets’ and ‘Blackbird Nae mAir’ accompanied by others dressed as “blackbirds”.

A huge banner is laid on the ground with words from the Wildland Ltd. company website “We’re in a climate emergency. We need to step up and take action”.

In Denmark a similar protest, held by Scientist Rebellion, has been taking place at the Blackbird HQ at Billund Airport.

The protestors are calling for Anders Povlsen “to step up and take action”, close down Blackbird Air and invest in clean transportation.

A joint statement from the groups said: “XR Scotland and SR Denmark call into account the contradictory behaviours of a so-called “eco-billionaire”.

“One of the largest landowners in Scotland, Povlsen owns Blackbird Air, a luxury private jet business, which is set to expand.

“At the same time Povlsen operates Wildland, a private enterprise which acknowledges the urgent need to act on the climate emergency.

“The use of private jets has soared in recent years, with the resulting climate-heating emissions rising by 50%.

“Passengers in larger private jets caused more CO2 emissions in an hour than the average person did in a year. Aviation fuel remains untaxed while those using a car to get to work pay their taxes at the pumps.

“The aviation industry is promoting Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) but the UK SAF mandate only requires that 2% of the UK’s total jet fuel demand be met by SAF in 2025, increasing to 10% in 2030. SAF is always blended with fossil fuels as around 65% of so-called sustainable fuel is kerosene.

“However, some airlines and countries are changing. The Danish company, Lego, is closing its private jet division this year. Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport announced a ban on private jets in April 2023. Belgium has introduced new taxes on private jets and France is expected to follow.”

Mr Povlsen and Wildland have been contacted for comment.