Menu
15/08/2017
Ryanair Calls For Action On Pre-Flight Drinking
Europe's largest budget airline, Ryanair, has called for a two-drink limit before a flight and for the sale of alcohol in airports to be banned before 10am, in the wake of increased disruptive behaviour from passengers travelling from British airports.
The CAA reported a 600% increase in disruptive passenger incidents in the UK between 2012 and 2016 with most "involving alcohol" and Ryanair has urged airports to take more responsibility for this safety issue by:
• banning the sale of all alcohol in bars and restaurants before 10am.
• introducing the mandatory use of boarding cards when purchasing alcoholic drinks in bars and restaurants (in the same way a boarding card is needed for airport purchases) and limiting the number of drinks per boarding pass to a max of two.
• controlling the sale of alcohol in bars and restaurants to passengers during flight delays by limiting the number of drinks per boarding pass to a max of two.
Ryanair has already taken a number of measures to prevent disruptive behaviour on its UK flights, and customers are not permitted to consume their own duty-free purchases on board. Customers flying from Glasgow Prestwick and Manchester to Alicante and Ibiza are no longer permitted to bring duty free alcohol on board the aircraft, and those who have purchased duty free alcohol will be asked to put it into the hold or leave their purchases behind.
Ryanair's Kenny Jacobs said: "It's completely unfair that airports can profit from the unlimited sale of alcohol to passengers and leave the airlines to deal with the safety consequences. This is a particular problem during flight delays when airports apply no limit to the sale of alcohol in airside bars and restaurants. This is an issue which the airports must now address and we are calling for significant changes to prohibit the sale of alcohol at airports, particularly with early morning flights and when flights are delayed.
"As the largest airline in Europe, Ryanair's number one priority is the safety of our customers, crew and aircraft and we operate strict guidelines for the carriage of customers who are disruptive or appear to be under the influence of alcohol. Given that all our flights are short-haul, very little alcohol is actually sold on board, so it's incumbent on the airports to introduce these preventative measures to curb excessive drinking and the problems it creates, rather than allowing passengers to drink to excess before their flights."
(MH/LM)
The CAA reported a 600% increase in disruptive passenger incidents in the UK between 2012 and 2016 with most "involving alcohol" and Ryanair has urged airports to take more responsibility for this safety issue by:
• banning the sale of all alcohol in bars and restaurants before 10am.
• introducing the mandatory use of boarding cards when purchasing alcoholic drinks in bars and restaurants (in the same way a boarding card is needed for airport purchases) and limiting the number of drinks per boarding pass to a max of two.
• controlling the sale of alcohol in bars and restaurants to passengers during flight delays by limiting the number of drinks per boarding pass to a max of two.
Ryanair has already taken a number of measures to prevent disruptive behaviour on its UK flights, and customers are not permitted to consume their own duty-free purchases on board. Customers flying from Glasgow Prestwick and Manchester to Alicante and Ibiza are no longer permitted to bring duty free alcohol on board the aircraft, and those who have purchased duty free alcohol will be asked to put it into the hold or leave their purchases behind.
Ryanair's Kenny Jacobs said: "It's completely unfair that airports can profit from the unlimited sale of alcohol to passengers and leave the airlines to deal with the safety consequences. This is a particular problem during flight delays when airports apply no limit to the sale of alcohol in airside bars and restaurants. This is an issue which the airports must now address and we are calling for significant changes to prohibit the sale of alcohol at airports, particularly with early morning flights and when flights are delayed.
"As the largest airline in Europe, Ryanair's number one priority is the safety of our customers, crew and aircraft and we operate strict guidelines for the carriage of customers who are disruptive or appear to be under the influence of alcohol. Given that all our flights are short-haul, very little alcohol is actually sold on board, so it's incumbent on the airports to introduce these preventative measures to curb excessive drinking and the problems it creates, rather than allowing passengers to drink to excess before their flights."
(MH/LM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 August 2013
£3.6m To Tackle Alcohol Misuse
The Big Lottery Fund has announced a new multi-million funding package to tackle the problem of alcohol misuse across Northern Ireland. £3,605,696 of grants from the Impact of Alcohol programme will be delivered to Northern Ireland by four organisations.
£3.6m To Tackle Alcohol Misuse
The Big Lottery Fund has announced a new multi-million funding package to tackle the problem of alcohol misuse across Northern Ireland. £3,605,696 of grants from the Impact of Alcohol programme will be delivered to Northern Ireland by four organisations.
19 January 2011
'Minimum Price' Could Curb Booze Abuse
Just a few months after local psychiatrists called on the Stormont Executive to introduce a minimum price for alcohol the Social Development (DSD) Minister Alex Attwood and Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey have announced they will be launching a joint consultation on minimum pricing for alcohol.
'Minimum Price' Could Curb Booze Abuse
Just a few months after local psychiatrists called on the Stormont Executive to introduce a minimum price for alcohol the Social Development (DSD) Minister Alex Attwood and Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey have announced they will be launching a joint consultation on minimum pricing for alcohol.
19 June 2023
Support Services Welcome Alcohol Awareness Week
Marking Alcohol Awareness Week, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has highlighted the support services available for individuals who misuse alcohol.
Support Services Welcome Alcohol Awareness Week
Marking Alcohol Awareness Week, the Public Health Agency (PHA) has highlighted the support services available for individuals who misuse alcohol.
03 December 2014
Minimum Alcohol Pricing Planned
Health Minister Jim Wells has unveiled proposals to introduce Minimum Unit Pricing for alcohol in Northern Ireland. The Minister said he has based his support for Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) on evidence provided by the University of Sheffield in an academic piece of research.
Minimum Alcohol Pricing Planned
Health Minister Jim Wells has unveiled proposals to introduce Minimum Unit Pricing for alcohol in Northern Ireland. The Minister said he has based his support for Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) on evidence provided by the University of Sheffield in an academic piece of research.
08 July 2024
People Attending Parades Urged To 'Not Let Alcohol Ruin Their Day'
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has called on people attending this years Twelfth of July celebrations to "not let alcohol ruin their day". The PHA has urged anyone choosing to use alcohol to "keep an eye on their drinking by making a sensible plan and sticking to it".
People Attending Parades Urged To 'Not Let Alcohol Ruin Their Day'
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has called on people attending this years Twelfth of July celebrations to "not let alcohol ruin their day". The PHA has urged anyone choosing to use alcohol to "keep an eye on their drinking by making a sensible plan and sticking to it".
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
