Michael O’Leary, who runs Europe’s largest airline, said there has been a ‘notable rise’ in bad behaviour because of intoxicated travellers. He wants a two-drink limit on each boarding pass.
He said: “It’s not that easy for airlines to identify people who are inebriated. As long as they can stand up, they’ll get through. Then, when the plane takes off, we see the misbehaviour.”
Mr O’Leary said airports are opposed to changes, insisting that they refuse to serve passengers who are too drunk. But he added: “They do serve the relatives of the drunken passenger.”
Crew members and other passengers have become targets, according to Mr O’Leary.
Delays add to the problem, with longer drinking times at airports.
“In the old days, people who drank too much would eventually fall over or fall asleep. But now those passengers are also on tablets and powder,” he added.
“It’s the mix. You get much more aggressive behaviour that becomes very difficult to manage.”
Mr O’Leary said it was difficult for airlines to identify inebriated people at the gate, especially when they boarded in a group.
“As long as they can stand up and shuffle they will get through. Then when the plane takes off, we see the misbehaviour,” he said.
Ryanair staff search bags for alcohol before passengers board flights to Ibiza, one of the worst-affected “party destinations”.
Other challenging destinations include some of the Greek islands.
An AirportsUK spokesperson said that disruptive behaviour, whether due to alcohol or other causes, “is unacceptable and could lead to substantial penalties”.
These penalties include fines, boarding being refused, or up to two years in jail.
The spokesperson added that airports have “a wide range of measures in place to monitor and tackle disruptive behaviour and ensure everyone’s safety”.
“Airports are committed to providing a safe and enjoyable travel experience for all passengers and we’re pleased that the vast majority of travellers continue to enjoy their journeys responsibly,” they said.
In response to Mr O’Leary’s comments, Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin said they have reviewed their sales in the last four weeks at their busiest airport pub.
“We have had no complaints about our pubs from the airport authorities or airlines, that I’m aware of, in recent years,” Mr Martin said.
“If our pub teams do see a possibly disruptive passenger, they alert airport police and security,” he continued.
While there is “no perfect solution”, he added, “working with airports and airlines and the licensing authorities” strikes a “reasonable balance for outbound flights.
