Jazmin Li
Protests at airports have been a common occurrence, with people expressing their dissent over a range of issues, from immigration policies to climate change. In 2008, Thai protestors shut down Bangkok's international airport and the domestic airfield, disrupting travel and demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister. In 2017, thousands gathered at airports across the US to protest Executive Order 13769, commonly known as the Muslim ban, implemented by the Trump administration. Protests have also taken place at European airports, with demonstrators breaching security and causing disruptions. More recently, in 2021, Hong Kong's International Airport cancelled all flights due to pro-democracy demonstrations, and in 2024, protests near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport blocked traffic and led to arrests. These instances highlight the impact of protests on air travel and their role in amplifying voices of dissent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Hong Kong International Airport, Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, Seattle's Sea-Tac Airport, New Haven's Tweed Airport, etc. |
| Date | August 12, 2019; November 27, 2008; April 15/16, 2024; April 18, 2025; etc. |
| Reason | Protesting the Trump administration's refugee policies, calling for an end to the Israel-Hamas war, demanding an end to deportation flights, etc. |
| Number of Protestors | Thousands; 3,000 members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD); 200; 4,000; etc. |
| Outcome | Cancellation of all flights; closure of airports; blocked roads and expressways; clashes with police; arrests; etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Protests against Executive Order 13769
In late January and early February 2017, thousands of people gathered at airports across the United States and worldwide to protest against Executive Order 13769, commonly referred to as the "Muslim ban". The protests were in response to the Trump administration's attempt to prevent the entry of refugees and visitors from seven countries deemed unsafe by the administration: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and Somalia.
The first protest took place at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, with an estimated attendance of over two thousand people. Protests quickly spread to other major airports in the US, including Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport, and Seattle's SeaTac Airport, among others. Protesters mobilized primarily through social media, and demonstrations continued daily through February 6, even after a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order against parts of the travel ban.
On January 28, approximately 27 air passengers heading to US airports were detained or sent back, and by the following day, an estimated 375 travelers had been impacted. Two Iraqi detainees were released from JFK Airport, and by 6 pm local time, 11 remained. Hameed Jhalid Darweesh, an Iraqi interpreter for the US Army, was among those detained and held for twelve hours without access to legal counsel.
The protests caused disruptions, with some travelers missing their flights due to blocked roads and sit-in demonstrations. In Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti expressed support for the protesters, promising that the city would be a refuge for all. A similar sentiment was echoed by Sacramento's mayor, Darrell Steinberg, who stated, "Mr. Trump, we will fight you every step of the way."
While the specific dates of when protesters left the airports are not mentioned, the protests continued through February 6, and with the release of detainees and a temporary restraining order in place, it can be assumed that the airport protests gradually dispersed around this time.
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Hong Kong airport shut down amid pro-democracy protests
On Monday, August 12, 2019, Hong Kong International Airport, one of the world's busiest airports, was forced to cancel all flights after thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators crowded into the main terminal. The protests, which had been ongoing for four days, were sparked by a controversial extradition bill that would allow criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China for trial, as well as alleged police brutality during recent protests.
Protesters occupied the arrival and departure halls of the airport, waving banners with messages such as "Those on the street today are all warriors!" and "Release all the detainees!". The demonstrations, which have drawn more than 1 million people at times, called for democratic reforms and an independent inquiry into police conduct, with both protesters and police adopting increasingly extreme tactics.
The Hong Kong International Airport Authority was forced to suspend check-ins for all remaining flights, stating that the demonstration seriously disrupted airport operations. This led to an estimated loss of US$76 million, according to aviation experts. The protests also affected tourism, with a 40% decline in visitors to Hong Kong in August 2019 compared to the previous year.
The central government in Beijing issued a strong condemnation of the protest movement, characterizing it as approaching "terrorism". This characterization was echoed by the Cabinet's Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, which stated that the situation in Hong Kong was an existential threat to the population.
The protests at the airport concluded on Monday evening, with no new violence reported. However, the city remained on edge after months of near-daily confrontations between protesters and police. The following year, on September 1, 2019, pro-democracy protesters again disrupted transport to and from Hong Kong International Airport, blocking roads and damaging a train station after a night of violent clashes with police.
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Anti-aviation protests at European airports
Anti-aviation protests have been a common occurrence at European airports, with protesters expressing their opposition to airport expansion, the aviation industry's environmental impact, and various other issues. These protests have taken various forms, from gathering at terminals to more disruptive actions like blocking runways and damaging aircraft.
In December 2018, for instance, drone sightings near the airfield caused significant disruption at London's Gatwick Airport. In October 2019, a solo protester climbed atop a British Airways aircraft at London City Airport, resulting in two flight cancellations. In the same month, at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands, protesters breached the airport fence, blocking private jets and causing considerable damage to aircraft.
Protests continued in 2023, with demonstrators targeting multiple European airports. In March 2023, protestors at Eindhoven Airport in the Netherlands cut a hole in the perimeter fence, entered the airside area, and blocked the private jet parking area. Over 100 people were arrested during this incident. Two months later, in May 2023, protestors at Cannes-Mandelieu Airport in France used a remote-controlled car to block a private jet, releasing smoke and highlighting security failures. During the same month, protesters at Geneva Airport in Switzerland breached security controls, damaging at least one aircraft and causing flight disruptions.
Beyond these specific incidents, anti-aviation sentiment has been prevalent across Europe. Protests have taken place outside terminals in Berlin, Milan, Stockholm, Trondheim, and London-area airports like Farnborough and Luton. Additionally, there have been demonstrations in Belgium, with protesters targeting airports in Antwerp and Liege. These protests have reflected a broader opposition to airport expansion and the environmental impact of aviation.
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Thai protestors close second airport
On November 27, 2008, anti-government protesters in Thailand forced the closure of Don Muang airport, Bangkok's domestic airfield, less than 48 hours after shutting down the city's international airport. Around 3,000 members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) occupied the airport in an attempt to prevent government ministers from flying to Chiang Mai to attend a cabinet meeting. The protesters had previously blocked the motorway to the airport and attacked taxi drivers with bats and golf clubs.
The PAD's tactics were aimed at provoking the army to mount a coup and unseat the government, following the coup that deposed Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006. PAD protesters had also occupied the prime minister's office compound, blocked access to the Parliament building, and protested in front of various ministries. They had shut down two airports, with one PAD spokesman saying a bomb had been thrown at a group of its supporters outside the terminal, injuring three people.
The closure of Don Muang airport forced the diversion of incoming flights to Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Singapore. The airport handles around 700 flights each day and almost 40 million passengers a year. The director of the airport, Serirat Prasutanont, said the action had "damaged Thailand's reputation and its economy beyond repair."
On November 26, 2008, Army Commander in Chief General Anupong Paochinda recommended that Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat resign and call a new election, and that the PAD end all its protests. Both the PAD and Somchai rejected the army chief's call. Somchai returned to Thailand the previous day after attending an overseas conference when the PAD began its airport incursions. By Thursday morning, several ministers and other lawmakers from the ruling party had arrived at the Prime Minister’s home in Chiang Mai.
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Protestors demand an end to the Israel-Hamas war
In April 2025, protestors in Israel called for an end to the war with Hamas in Gaza. The protests were sparked by the collapse of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in March, which led to a resumption of the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. The war in Gaza has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis, with thousands of Palestinians killed and thousands more displaced. The Gaza health ministry reported that since the ground and air assault by Hamas on 7 October 2023, over 50,000 people have been killed in Gaza, including almost 2,000 Palestinians since the war resumed in March.
The protests in Israel have been met with mixed reactions. A small but growing number of Israelis have joined the calls to end the war, citing the loss of life on both sides. Notably, a group of Holocaust survivors protested outside Yad Vashem, acknowledging the suffering and deaths of tens of thousands of children in Gaza. They also highlighted Israel's partial responsibility for the starvation and devastation in the region.
However, the anti-war protests have also faced resistance and even hostility. A protest organized by the progressive movement "Standing Together" on Holocaust Memorial Day was met with opposition from the police, who banned posters of children killed in Gaza and restricted the use of certain phrases. Additionally, far-right groups have countered these protests, accusing the demonstrators of being "traitors."
The protests in Gaza have not been without challenges as well. Hundreds of Palestinians took to the streets in the largest anti-Hamas protest since the war began, demanding that the group step down from power. However, these protesters were forcibly dispersed by masked Hamas militants, who assaulted several participants.
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserting the need to continue fighting, the demand from protestors for an end to the war becomes increasingly urgent. The protestors emphasize the need to save lives and alleviate the suffering on both sides.
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Frequently asked questions
The Thai protestors left the airport on November 27, 2008, after shutting it down for less than 48 hours.
The Hong Kong airport protestors left on August 12, 2019.
The New Haven Airport protestors were still protesting as of April 18, 2025.
The Sea-Tac Airport protestors left on April 15, 2024.
The John F. Kennedy International Airport protestors left in late January or early February 2017.
