Twenty environmental protestors were arrested over the weekend at Boston-area Hanscom Field Airport (KBED), New England's busiest private aviation gateway. On Saturday morning, some members of the group Extinction Rebellion scaled a perimeter fence and disrupted operations at KBED by entering the airside restricted operation area and preventing aircraft movement while others blocked the entrances of the three FBOs on the field, leading to a brief closure of the airport.
According to a press release from the activist group, the event was staged to protest plans by the operator, the Massachusetts Port Authority, to expand the number of private jet hangars on the field.
“The public comment period for the proposed Hanscom Field expansion’s Draft Environmental Impact Report lasts through May 10, and this demonstration is our community’s public comment against this egregious development,” said spokesperson Jamie McGonagill, adding that the development would accommodate a 300 percent increase in private jet services at KBED.
The protestors were peacefully rounded up by the Massachusetts State Police, with assistance from the Bedford, Lexington, and Concord police departments, and according to reports were later released after posting bail. They will face arraignment this week in Concord District Court on charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct according to Massachusetts State Police media communications director Dave Procopio.
The group has led similar protests targeting private aviation at other airports in the U.S. and Europe, including disrupting last year’s EBACE.