Ryanair CEO calls for airport alcohol limits to curb violence

Michael O'Leary has called for alcohol limits at airports, according to the British press. The CEO of Ryanair wants to combat drunk passengers on board in this way. Outbreaks of aggression and violence on this airline's planes "happen every week." However, this is also a problem with other airlines.

The issue is covered by "The Telegraph," BBC, and "Independent," among others. According to O'Leary, passengers should be able to buy "no more than two alcoholic drinks" at the airport for their journey to reduce the number of antisocial behaviours and instances of violence. He stated that it is a plague.

"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," said O'Leary.

The airline has the ability not to allow a passenger who shows signs of intoxication or is already behaving inappropriately on the ground to board the plane. Ryanair's CEO points out that it is not always easy to identify intoxicated individuals at the gate, especially when they are boarding as a group. "As long as they can stand up and shuffle they will get through. Then when the plane takes off, we see the misbehaviour," he emphasised.

You would always have drunk passengers but drunk passengers generally fall asleep. Drunk passengers who are on powder and tablets get aggressive. It's the mix. You get much more aggressive behaviour that becomes very difficult to manage," said O'Leary.

The problem is recognised not only by Ryanair's CEO. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is warning that there are more problematic passengers after the COVID-19 pandemic. "The increasing trend of unruly passenger incidents is worrying," said Conrad Clifford, IATA's Deputy Director General, at last year's World Air Transport Symposium in Istanbul. The three most common categories of offences are:

• non-compliance with regulations and instructions,
• verbal abuse,
• intoxication from alcohol or other substances.

Incidents involving physical violence are still rare. However, between 2021 and 2022, their number globally increased by 67%.

"No one wants to stop people having a good time when they go on holiday—but we all have a responsibility to behave with respect for other passengers and the crew. For the sake of the majority, we make no apology for seeking to crack down on the bad behaviour of a tiny number of travellers who can make a flight very uncomfortable for everyone else," said Clifford. The cabin crew can then approach and point out, for example, the loud behaviour. Then, everything depends on the reaction.

He explained that if the group says, "Yes, we apologise," there is no issue. If strange arguments start, the first signal is reported to the cockpit, and the crew considers the situation. The decision will always be made to protect the passengers. There will be no problem removing five people who cause discomfort to the other 200 passengers because this situation can escalate.