Eco-warriors from Extinction Rebellion have said they will target Heathrow with drones - but are set give passengers and the airport two months to prepare.

The militant climate change group announced yesterday plans had been put on hold to target Europe's busiest airport in June and July as the spat over a third runway continues.

But the statement revealed a detailed 'action plan' for when the disruption is revived, including a map of the area drones may be flown.

The group have previously attempted to disrupt travel at Heathrow with a protest outside the airport's entrance on April 19 (picture). Police have promised a tough crackdown on anyone caught using a drone to ground flights

The militant climate change group announced yesterday plans had been put on hold to target Europe's busiest airport in June and July as the spat over a third runway continues. But the statement revealed a detailed 'action plan' for when the disruption is revived, including a map of the area drones may be flown

It said: 'For absolute clarity therefore, Extinction Rebellion has not removed Heathrow Airport from its strategic planning.'

XR said any drone used in future demonstrations will see 'operators fly them at a maximum height of six feet within the restricted 5km zone surrounding Heathrow'.

They would not be flown within flight paths, but could still be used in areas that could force the airport 'to safely close airspace', the group said.

The document continued: 'The airport authorities and the general public [will] be given two months' advance notice of the start date and time of any planned action.

'Above all, this notice period provides an appropriate period for the authorities to safely plan the closure of the airport for the duration of the action.

'We hope it also provides members of the general public with sufficient time to seek alternative travel arrangements if necessary.'

Extinction Rebellion (XR) demonstrators at London Heathrow airport in April. XR announced that plans to shut down the London airport for 11 days have been postponed, but said drones could be used in a future demonstration there

It added: 'It is Extinction Rebellion’s contention that flying a lightweight drone at a maximum height of six feet, outside flight paths, poses no risk to aircraft and is therefore inline with our principle of non-violence.'

Activists from the group have described air travel as 'genocidal' in the past, adding that 'the addition of the planned third runway would make Heathrow the single biggest carbon emitter in the UK; to expand the airport at this critical point in history would be madness'.

The original plans for disruption to Heathrow - first announced in May - were roundly criticised by authorities.

It was claimed that climate change activists were planning to use drones in an effort to suspend flights from Heathrow for 11 days starting on Tuesday, but it has been postponed

Aviation minister Baroness Vere warned 'using drones to deliberately put people's safety at risk carries a maximum life sentence'.

And police pleaded with Extinction Rebellion protesters last week not to use drones as part of any protest at Heathrow.

A postponed '11-day shutdown', originally scheduled to start tomorrow, had the potential to cause 'widespread disruption', according to the Metropolitan Police.

The original plans for disruption - first announced in May - were roundly criticised by authorities. Pictured: The protesters previously tried to disrupt services at the airport on April 19

The force said it had drawn 'vital police resources' from across the capital to battle any demonstration.

And it warned the illegal use of drones at airports has the capability to cause 'great disruption to the public, not only in London, but internationally'.

In April thousands of XR supporters blocked key routes in London as the group demanded the Government announce a climate emergency.

A small group of mostly teenage activists unfurled a banner at Heathrow near a tunnel which leads to Terminals 2 and 3, but flights were not disrupted.

The move followed the chaos caused by mystery culprits at Gatwick Airport over three days in December.

A drone flying over Gatwick caused chaos for many passengers who found themselves sleeping at the airport in December (pictured)

Drone sightings resulted in around 1,000 flights being grounded, which affected 140,000 passengers.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Taylor said: 'As we have seen, the illegal use of drones at airports also has the capability to cause great disruption to the public, not only in London, but internationally.'

To tackle the threat of drones, the Ministry of Defence introduced detection systems capable of being deployed across the UK.