Ryanair, the Irish low-cost airline, has renewed its appeal for stricter regulations on alcohol consumption at airports, advocating for a two-drink limit per passenger before boarding. This reiteration comes in the wake of a legal battle the airline is waging against a disruptive passenger whose excessive drinking forced a flight diversion, leading to significant costs for Ryanair. The airline argues that limiting alcohol availability at airports would mitigate disruptive behavior and improve the overall safety and experience for passengers and crew alike. Ryanair maintains that while they already restrict alcohol sales on board their aircraft, particularly in cases of disruptive behavior, the lack of limitations at airport bars and restaurants contributes to excessive drinking before flights, leading to in-flight incidents. The airline suggests a system using boarding passes to track alcohol purchases, similar to the method employed for duty-free sales.
The specific incident prompting this renewed call involved a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote in April 2024. A passenger’s disruptive behavior, attributed to excessive alcohol consumption, forced the pilots to divert the aircraft to Porto, Portugal. This unscheduled landing resulted in substantial expenses for Ryanair, including overnight accommodation and meals for over 160 passengers and six crew members, as well as the cost of an additional flight to get the passengers to their final destination. Ryanair estimates the total cost of this disruption to be £12,000, which they are now seeking to recover from the passenger through legal action in Irish courts. The airline emphasizes that these costs were entirely a consequence of the passenger’s disruptive actions, necessitating the diversion to ensure the safety of everyone on board. The case highlights, from Ryanair’s perspective, the direct link between unregulated airport alcohol consumption and in-flight disruption, reinforcing their call for pre-boarding drink limits.
The legal proceedings against the disruptive passenger mark a significant step for Ryanair, as it represents their first legal action of this kind. The airline is pursuing civil proceedings in Ireland to recoup the expenses incurred due to the flight diversion. The decision to pursue the case in Ireland followed a ruling by the Portuguese prosecution, which determined that jurisdiction lay with Ireland due to the Irish nationality of both the aircraft and the passenger. This case serves as a precedent for Ryanair and potentially other airlines to hold disruptive passengers accountable for the financial consequences of their actions, particularly when those actions are linked to excessive alcohol consumption. It underscores Ryanair’s commitment to addressing disruptive behavior and advocating for preventive measures to minimize such incidents.
Further bolstering Ryanair’s stance on alcohol and air travel, Padraig O’Ceidigh, the former boss of Aer Lingus Regional, has gone even further, recommending a complete ban on alcohol sales during flights. While O’Ceidigh acknowledges that this measure might be more easily implemented on short-haul flights, he believes that eliminating alcohol sales entirely would enhance safety and reduce disruptive incidents on all flights. This perspective adds weight to the broader debate surrounding alcohol consumption in aviation, raising questions about the balance between passenger convenience and the need to ensure a safe and disruption-free travel experience. While a complete ban remains a more radical proposal, it highlights the growing concern about alcohol-related issues on flights.
Insights from a flight attendant, reported by The Sun, reveal that cabin crew members are trained to monitor passenger alcohol intake and intervene when necessary. The attendant explained that crew members work collaboratively to assess passenger behavior and can refuse further service to individuals who appear to be intoxicated. The key criterion for intervention is whether a passenger’s level of intoxication would impair their ability to respond appropriately in an emergency. This proactive approach by cabin crew underscores the importance of responsible alcohol consumption during flights and demonstrates the existing efforts to manage potential issues arising from excessive drinking. However, it also highlights the reactive nature of these measures, addressing the problem after alcohol has already been consumed.
Underlying the concerns raised by Ryanair and others are the health guidelines related to alcohol consumption. The NHS recommends a weekly limit of 14 units of alcohol for both men and women, spread over three or more days. Regularly exceeding this limit poses significant health risks. Pregnant women, or those planning pregnancy, are advised to abstain from alcohol completely to minimize risks to their baby. This health advice provides a broader context for the debate about alcohol consumption, highlighting the potential negative consequences of excessive drinking both in general and specifically in the environment of air travel, where altitude can exacerbate the effects of alcohol. The increased risk of dehydration during flights further compounds the negative effects of alcohol.
