Pre-flight drinks threat

A crackdown on passengers binge drinking before a flight is being considered by the government after the number of incidents of disruptive behaviour on aircraft more than quadrupled in the past four years.

Bars, shops and restaurants at airports could be subject to the same licensing laws which ban sales of alcohol outside permitted hours. Serving people who are already drunk could also lead to legal action.

Current rules on permitted hours do not apply to airside sales once passengers have gone through airport security. The Home Office is now said to be poised to announce plans to amend the Licensing Act 2003 to includes outlets selling alcohol airside.

Reports last week noted that although it is illegal to be drunk on an aircraft, punishable by up to two years in prison, industry data revealed some 70% of disruptive incidents on flights involve alcohol.

Airlines UK chief executive Tim Alderslade told the Daily Mail: “Given alcohol plays a major role in disruptive passenger behaviour, it is essential that its sale in airports is done responsibly.”

A spokesman for the Home Office added: “Most UK air passengers behave responsibly, but any disruptive or drunk behaviour is entirely unacceptable.”

www.airlinesuk.org

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