LAST ORDERS

Should we limit alcohol sales to prevent passengers behaving badly? Our columnist hopes not...

We all know the knock-on effects of a lengthy flight delay. The missed onward connection, the abandoned business meeting, or simply lost time with the family after an arduous business trip. But what about the effects on passengers' alcohol consumption and the resulting outbreaks of violence onboard? According to Ryanair CEO, Michael O'Leary, "The biggest problem we have is when you have a day of bad delays. People are waiting around at airports and they keep lorrying alcohol into themselves."

Of course, many of us enjoy a drink or two at airports without incident, but cases of unruly passenger behaviour are on the rise. IATA's latest analysis reveals there was one incident for every 480 flights in 2023, versus one for every 568 flights in 2022 and one per 835 flights in 2021.

Over the limit

But what can we do about it? The UK Civil Aviation Authority already states that 'acts of drunkenness' on an aircraft face a maximum fine of £5,000 and two years in prison, but it doesn't appear to deter those who overindulge with pre-flight jitters.