Under one option being considered, airlines would be alerted if a previously rude, aggressive or drunk passenger tries to check in for one of their flights – and then could block them
Drunk and disorderly passengers could be banned from flights under plans to create a named and shamed list that could be shared between airlines.
Under one option being considered, airlines would be alerted if a previously rude, aggressive or drunk passenger tries to check in for one of their flights. The airline would then choose how to respond, which could include blocking them from their flights indefinitely.
Currently, data protection rules make it difficult for airlines to share names, but officials are working on resolving this. A potential scheme – which is still in its early stages of development – could see airlines notify ministers of disruptive passengers.
The Government would then keep a record of antisocial passengers and would alert airlines if someone on the list tries to check in for another flight.
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Officials are set to meet airlines in June to discuss taking the proposals forward. Its understood those in the industry are broadly supportive.
A government source said: “Everyone should be able to enjoy a pint at the airport, but antisocial behaviour on flights is totally unacceptable. It threatens the safety of passengers and crew, and disrupts hard-earned holidays.
“There are already tough laws in place to deal with offences committed on flights, but we are exploring with industry how we can better address this issue, ensuring we crack down on people who persistently cause chaos. Everyone should be able to fly without fuss.”
The proposal is unlikely to require legislation, with industry and the government expected to run any scheme and decide its governance, code of practice, operation and use.
Strict sanctions – including possible criminal action – already exist for disruptive passengers. Being drunk on a plane is a criminal offence. Disorderly guests could face imprisonment for up to two years, heavy fines or having to pay the cost of diverting a plan – which would easily exceed £10,000. They already face being permanently banned from flying with the airline
The aviation watchdog, the Civil Aviation Authority, writes online: “Passengers who are intoxicated, rude, aggressive, or otherwise disruptive can cause significant distress to cabin crew and fellow travellers. This behaviour can also pose a risk to aircraft safety. Disruptive passengers can lead to planes being diverted and, where this happens, the disruptive passengers themselves risk having to pay the cost of the diversion.
“Not only is disruptive behaviour unacceptable, it may also be a criminal offence: It is specifically an offence to get on and be on an aircraft when drunk.”
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary last month proposed banning airports serving alcohol to passengers before flights early in the morning. Last summer, his airline announced minimum fines of £500 for passengers whose antisocial behaviour results in them being removed.
A spokesman for Ryanair said at the time: “It is unacceptable that passengers are made to suffer unnecessary disruption because of one unruly passenger’s behaviour.”
Rory Boland, editor of consumer magazine Which? Travel, said a minority of air travellers were increasingly taking airport drinking “too far”, which was “wreaking havoc for other passengers”.
He said: “When the stakes are so high and the risk to safety so great, it’s only right that the penalty for being drunk and disorderly on a flight matches the seriousness of the situation. It’s welcome then that the Government is proposing travel bans for the worst offenders.”
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of industry body Airlines UK, said: “UK airlines have a zero-tolerance approach to disruptive behaviour. Additional measures for the most serious cases of disruption, including the creation of a national ban list, are an important next step in ensuring a tiny minority of passengers cannot disrupt air travel for the majority.“We welcome the Government’s support for further action and will work closely with ministers on delivering the right solutions.”
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