Heathrow Airport may be forced to close for up to 10 days this summer due to action by climate activists Extinction Rebellion.

The environmental protest group says it intends to fly drones on an airfield nearby.

The closure is feared from July 1, and would strand hundreds of thousands of people in and out of Europe's busiest airport.

"On June 18, we plan to carry out nonviolent direct action to ensure Heathrow Authorities close the airport for the day, to create a "pause" in recognition of the genocidal impact of high carbon activities, such as flying, upon the natural world," a spokesman for the group said.

"If the Government does not cancel all Heathrow expansion, Extinction Rebellion will act to shut the airport down for up to 10 days from July 1."

Heathrow, which is in Hillingdon, west London, intends to build a third runway.

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But the Extinction Rebellion spokesman said: "This is not about targeting the public, but holding the Government to their duty to take leadership on the climate and ecological emergency.

"We understand the action will cause disruption to a great number of holiday makers, however we believe that it is necessary given the prospect of far greater disruption caused by ecological and societal collapse, if we don’t act now. Holiday makers are being given advance notice to change travel plans."

The protest group mobilised thousands of people in a peaceful civil disobedience campaign that brought parts of central London to a standstill in April.

British security forces have been on alert since December, when Gatwick Airport outside London was forced to cancel flights over several days due to large drones near the perimeter.

But Extinction Rebellion was not involved in that incident, senior members of the movement said at the time.

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A Heathrow spokeswoman said staff are working with authorities to address the threat of protests at the airport.

She added: "This is reckless action that if carried out could endanger the lives of the travelling public and our colleagues.

"We agree with the need to act on climate change, but that requires us to work together constructively – not commit serious criminal offences just as hardworking people prepare to spend a well-earned holiday with their family and friends."

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