OP I N ION
RICHARD TAMS AIRLINE CONSULTANT AND EXECUTIVE COACH
LAST ORDERS
Should we limit alcohol sales to prevent passengers behaving badly? Our columnist hopes not…
W
e 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. O’Leary also cited the difficulty in
identifying intoxicated passengers as a major obstacle. “It’s not that easy for airlines to identify people who are inebriated at the gate, particularly if they are boarding with two or three others... As long as they can stand up and shuffle, they will get through. Then when the plane takes off, we see the misbehaviour.” O’Leary’s solution has been to call for a two-drink limit to be imposed in airport bars. Opponents of the nanny state will be choking on their inflight gin and tonics at the thought of such an imposition, however a new YouGov poll suggests that most of the British public would support restrictions on the consumption of alcohol at airports. Of the 6,771 British adults surveyed, 62 per cent said that they strongly or tend to support a two-
‘ Unruly passenger behaviour is on the rise’
drink limit at airport bars. Only 9 per cent strongly opposed the idea. As business travellers, we have a
fair bit of skin in the game here, both as those who enjoy a preflight drink and won’t appreciate a rowdy flight.
Closing time However, placing restrictions on the consumption of alcohol is far easier said than done. The mechanisms to monitor sales across an entire airport is unclear. Proponents suggest that tracking the number of drinks bought via a passenger’s boarding pass might be the answer. However, the technology required at point-of-sale would be punitive to alcohol retailers, especially when there’s nothing in it for them, except a dramatically reduced turnover. In the face of such a requirement, many would make a hasty departure, leaving airports to find tenants for the abandoned bars. Not to mention, if someone has
reached their permitted limit, there’s nothing to stop their tee-total aunt stepping up to the plate and buying them a shot of tequila. Also, what’s to stop travellers arriving at the airport already half-cut? So far, we have assumed that
CHEERS TO THAT A survey reveals the British public would support restrictions on airport drinking
44 BUSINESS TRAVELLER
these drinks will be purchased. Would these restrictions also apply in airport lounges, where booze is dispensed lavishly for free? Airlines might rejoice at the cost-saving, but status-wielding frequent flyers would be up in arms. I have been known to arrive at the BA lounge hours early to enjoy a few glasses of fizz ahead of a flight to Malaga. Is this all to end? The answer, I suppose, lies in the
good old-fashioned self-control of passengers to know when to stop, and the discipline of airlines to prevent the insubordinate from boarding. Failing that, install breathalysers at the gate.
DECEMBER 2024/JANUARY 2025
IMAGE 123R ILLUSTRATION BEN SOUTHAN
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