Ryanair boss requires two-drink airport restrict after surge in drunken violence
Most people enjoy a few bevvys at the airport before they jet off on holiday however that could all be abut to change as Ryanair’s chief executive has urged for new alcohol restrictions at airports.
Michael O’Leary’s two-drink airport limit is in response to a surge in unruly behaviour on flights particularly on UK flights heading to popular “party destinations”.
Flights bound for Ibiza and some Greek Islands are particularly susceptible to disruptions caused by drunk passengers, leading Ryanair to inspect the bags of travellers headed for Ibiza before they’re permitted to board.
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O’Leary proposed a two-drink limit per passenger to combat the escalating issue of antisocial and violent behaviour, attributing the rise in violence to alcohol mixed with “powder and tablets”.
In an interview with the Telegraph, O’Leary stated: “The airports of course are opposed to it and say that their bars don’t serve drunken passengers. But they do serve the relatives of the drunken passenger.”
(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
He continued: “We don’t want to begrudge people having a drink. But we don’t allow people to drink-drive, yet we keep putting them up in aircraft at 33,000 feet,” adding that identifying drunk passengers at the gate is challenging, especially when they’re part of a group.”
He further explained: “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 highlighted that crew members and fellow passengers have become victims, with flight delays exacerbating the issue by extending drinking times at airports. He added: “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.”
“It’s the mix. You get much more aggressive behaviour that becomes very difficult to manage.”
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