In an effort to curb rowdy behavior and incidents on airplanes, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has proposed a limiting the number of drinks purchased at airports before boarding. According to reports, O'Leary suggested that passengers should be allowed to buy no more than two drinks using a single boarding pass. This summer has seen a surge in incidents of violence, with almost weekly assaults happening.
Identifying drunk passengers at the gate can be challenging, especially when they're traveling in groups, O'Leary acknowledged. "As long as they can stand and move, they make it onto the plane," he stated. "It isn't until the plane takes off that the misconduct starts."
O'Leary is not advocating for a ban on drinks altogether, he emphasized. Instead, he likened the situation to driving under the influence, which is illegal, while passengers continue to board planes while intoxicated at 33,000 feet.
There have been numerous instances of alcohol-fueled incidents on flights from the UK to popular party destinations, such as Ibiza and certain Greek islands. In one such incident in July, a British tourist was handed a probation sentence after sexually assaulting a flight attendant on a Ryanair flight from Newcastle to Mallorca, reportedly under the influence of alcohol and possibly other drugs like cocaine.
O'Leary attributed the rise in incidents to a combination of alcohol with "tablets and powders," indicating drugs like cocaine. He also noted that problems arise on flights departing from Ireland or Germany. Delays are particularly challenging, as passengers tend to spend their time at airports drinking alcohol instead of waiting with coffee or tea. In O'Leary's words, "This is not a booze cruise."
Despite the proposal, O'Leary maintains that it will not negatively impact the earnings of airport bars.
The European Commission has expressed concern over the increasing instances of intoxication and misconduct on flights, particularly on party flights to destinations like Ibiza and certain Greek islands. Following O'Leary's suggestion, the Commission is considering implementing stricter regulations for alcohol purchases before boarding to prevent such incidents.
Airlines around the world are implementing various measures to limit alcohol-related incidents on flights, including stricter regulations, limits on alcohol consumption by pilots, proper reporting, and passenger education. These efforts indicate a concerted effort to ensure compliance with safety protocols and prevent alcohol-related incidents on flights.
