Climate Activists Arrested in Lisbon for Airport Protest Disruption

Four climate activists were detained in Lisbon on Sunday for disobedience after attempting to block an access road to Lisbon Airport, according to the Lisbon Metropolitan Command of the PSP (Cometlis).

MANUEL DE ALMEIDA/LUSA

The activists, from the environmental movement Climáximo, were arrested near a roundabout leading to the airport, "out of line with the protest," and taken to the Olivais police station. The PSP stated that two men and two women, aged between 20 and 42, were detained "for the crime of disobedience, after cutting off a traffic lane."

The arrest occurred at 17:20 near the BP fuel station at the Airport, with the detainees later taken to the Olivais PSP station for processing. Climáximo confirmed the arrests and claimed three more individuals were identified inside Humberto Delgado Airport. However, the PSP reported only two men, aged 34 and 40, were identified around 16:30 near Terminal 1's check-in area, with "two banners suspected of intended illicit use" seized.

All incidents have been reported to the Public Ministry. Other activists marched to the Olivais station, vowing to wait for the release of the detained. Maria Lourenço, a spokesperson, urged solidarity and climate resistance.

Approximately 50 climate activists protested near Lisbon Airport on Sunday, aiming to disrupt peak flight hours. After a 40-minute march halting traffic at the Relógio roundabout, protesters sat on the road by 16:40 without blocking airport access.

The Climáximo-led protest began at 15:00 with a gathering at the Relógio roundabout, followed by a march towards the airport.