Climate Activists Vandalize Private Jets at UK Airport, Mistakenly Target Taylor Swift’s Plane

Two climate activists mistakenly targeted private jets at a UK airport, believing one of the planes belonged to pop superstar Taylor Swift. The incident occurred early Thursday morning at Stansted Airport in Essex.

The activists, Jennifer Kowalski, 28, and Cole Maconald, 22, from the Just Stop Oil group, broke into the airport around 5:10 a.m. local time, using a power tool to cut through the fence before dashing across the runway and spraying two jets with orange paint. They claimed that Swift’s jet was parked nearby during their demonstration.

Video of the Day: Activists spray paint private jets orange

A video posted by Just Stop Oil showed Kowalski and Maconald proudly vandalizing the jets. “We just spray painted the f–k out of this jet,” Kowalski said in a selfie video, with Maconald adding, “And the one behind it!” The pair emphasized their message for an international treaty against the use of oil, coal, and gas, criticizing the elite and wealthy for their excessive use of private jets while people suffer from the impacts of climate change.

The police arrested both activists on suspicion of criminal damage. Despite the brief disruption, runway operations were quickly resumed, and no flights were delayed.

Interestingly, eagle-eyed fans recognized Kowalski from a meet-and-greet with Taylor Swift nine years ago. Kowalski, who once described Swift as her “hero,” had met the singer backstage during the Glasgow stop of the 1989 tour, according to the Daily Mail. Kowalski’s admiration for Swift was evident as she and her sister posed joyfully with the pop star.

This incident highlights the growing frustration among climate activists with the environmental impact of private jets, often used by the wealthy and celebrities. Despite the mix-up with Swift’s jet, the activists’ actions brought attention to their cause and the need for stronger measures against fossil fuel usage.