Non-flying visit

It is rare to find people visiting an airport by choice, and even rarer to find that airport's owners trying to stop them. But London Heathrow will bear witness to both events this Tuesday as the 'Camp for Climate Action' -- a protest at noise and environmental damage from the airport -- gets underway.

Airport operator BAA has secured an injunction that will prevent thousands of visitors attempting to obstruct or interfere with the Heathrow's day-to-day operations. BAA could do without the interference: long delays in overheating terminals have dominated newspaper headlines during the Augustholiday season. Airlines lambasted the congestion, while populist London Mayor Ken Livingstone said the delays shamed the capital. BAA has put the blame on extra security checks necessary after attempted terrorist attacks last summer, and the steady growth in air travel which puts ageing infrastructure under strain.

BAA has been quieter about its level of investment. Capital investment -- excluding spending on the new Terminal 5 -- has fallen 15% since BAA was taken over by Spanish construction firm Ferrovial last summer. This has led some to suggest that the firm has exploited its monopoly status as operator of all three of London's major airports and 90% of its airport traffic. So, BAA needs all the friends it can get. It is likely to have made more enemies by attempting to stop the umbrella group Airport Watch from visiting the camp. Airport Watch's supporters include the National Trust and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, whose well-heeled membership included the very judge to whom they presented their case.