Alchol limit to stop airport drunkeness

ALCOHOL safety experts are calling for a fixed drinking limit to be imposed for passengers boarding aircraft in response to the recent news that the Government will be launching a review into airside alcohol consumption.

The vast majority of passengers do not drink to excess in airports.

The issue that needs to be tackled is to ensure that problem passengers are prevented from flying – whatever the time of day.

While it is illegal to be ‘drunk’ on an aircraft, the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) has not yet set a defined limit for what ‘drunk’ actually is.

This leaves airports and airlines unable to draw a clear line under which passengers can and can’t fly.

Setting a specific limit would prevent problem passengers from flying and allow responsible travellers to continue to drink sensibly, as the majority do now.

Licensing alcohol in airports will not stop problem passengers - people who want to drink to excess will always find a way.

However, if there was a set alcohol limit for passengers, ground staff will be able to test anyone they suspect to be over that limit at the boarding gates using an extremely quick five second passive screening device and removing any passenger who exceeds the limit.

It is highly likely this will deter those passengers who are considering over-indulging.