Disruptive passenger incidents on flights have more than doubled since the pandemic’s end, prompting Ryanair to call for stringent alcohol restrictions at airports across Europe. The Irish carrier is pushing for a two-drink maximum policy before passengers board their flights.
Data reported to the UK aviation regulator reveals disturbances have escalated from roughly 100 per quarter in 2019 to between 200-250 in the initial quarters of 2024. The concerning trend has led Europe’s largest low-cost airline to advocate for governmental intervention in airport alcohol sales.
Ryanair’s position stems from observations of passengers consuming “excess” alcohol during flight delays without any restrictions. The Dublin-based carrier emphasised that airlines already limit onboard alcohol sales, particularly in cases involving disruptive passengers.
The airline is currently pursuing legal action against an Irish passenger, seeking €15,000 in compensation for costs incurred during an April 2023 incident. The event forced a Dublin to Lanzarote flight to divert to Porto, affecting 160 passengers and six crew members who required overnight accommodation.
Industry figures from the Civil Aviation Authority indicate that while incident levels have decreased from their 2022-2023 peak of 300 per quarter, the average number of flight diversions nearly doubled between 2019 and 2023. The mounting costs and safety concerns have intensified the debate around pre-flight alcohol consumption.
Airport organisations have pushed back against the proposed restrictions. Airports Council International Europe suggests airlines should manage unruly passengers by exercising their right to refuse boarding or onboard service. They argue that blanket restrictions would unfairly impact responsible travellers who represent the vast majority of passengers.
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