/Call for action against drunken air passengers

TRANSPORT chiefs are calling for a crack down on violent and drunken airline passengers

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has revealed that it had already received 200 reports of incidents about disruptive passengers in the first seven months of the year, before the busy summer flying season had even begun.

The latest figures mirror previous years, which have seen more than 400 incidents reported for each full year, many involving acts of violent and intimidating behaviour.

Over the past five years, there have been almost 1,500 incident reports, ranging from 98 in 2013 to 417 in 2017 the highest amount in the past five years.

Although the clear majority of passengers enjoy the experience of trouble-free flying, the CAA is calling on airlines and enforcement agencies to make better use of laws already in place.

The authority has said it will work closely with the industry and government to bring prosecutions against disruptive passengers.

Richard Stephenson, director of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “Everyone wants their holiday flights to be enjoyable and trouble-free.

“Drunken and abusive behaviour on an aeroplane is totally unacceptable. Not only does it upset everyone else, but it can also jeopardise flight safety.

“Criminal charges should be brought against offenders more often to act as a deterrent - passengers need to know they will face the full weight of the law should they be found guilty of disorderly behaviour.”

Offenders can be jailed for up to five years for endangering the safety of an aircraft. They can also be charged with specific offences of being drunk on board an aircraft and for acting in a disruptive manner.

Smoking and failing to obey the commands of the captain are also against the law and can be punished by a fine or imprisonment.