SNP fails to crack down on drunken airport yobs
GROWING calls for a crackdown on drink-fuelled crime in Scotland’s airports have been rejected by ministers.
Concerns about round-theclock alcohol being served up in airports have increased in recent years.
Campaigners have urged the Scottish Government to restrict alcohol sales in airports and during flights.
But SNP ministers yesterday confirmed they had rejected proposals to tighten regulations by reducing alcohol licensing hours.
It comes after new figures that show there have been 121 arrests related to alcohol in Scotland’s four biggest airports since the start of last year.
The UK Government recently announced a ‘call for evidence’ on whether or not it should act to get a grip of the problem. But alcohol licensing at airports is a devolved matter and is controlled by the Scottish Government.
Yesterday, a Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We have no plans to amend licensing hours for alcohol sales at airports. However, we continue to monitor closely the overall effectiveness of existing legislation. There are already robust measures in place to limit drunken behaviour in all areas of airports – such as it being an offence to serve someone alcohol when they are drunk – and it is for Police Scotland and local authorities to ensure they are enforced.
‘Tackling alcohol misuse is a key priority for this Government, and we have introduced a number of robust measures to promote responsible drinking. The refresh of our alcohol strategy is due to be introduced later this year, and will build on the measures already in place.’
Ryanair and Jet2 have both said that early morning sales of alcohol in airport bars and restaurants should be banned.
Cabin crew for both airlines described being strangled, groped and verbally abused by drunk pas- sengers. Airports and aircraft are currently exempt from licensing legislation which is designed to control how, where and when alcohol is sold.
Anti-alcohol campaigners have made a direct plea to the Scottish Government to act on drink-fuelled crime in airports and on flights.
In June a Thomas Cook flight from Glasgow to Dalaman in Turkey made an emergency landing in Bulgaria after five drunk Scots started assaulting other passengers and smoking in the toilets. A flight attendant’s thumb was broken during the incident.
This month two men were jailed over a drunken tirade against crew on a Thomson flight in July that forced the plane, which was travelling from Glasgow to Alicante, to make an emergency landing in Bristol.
Derek Root, one of the offenders, is understood to have had ten shots of whisky in the departure lounge before take-off.
One Ryanair flight attendant based in Edinburgh said that her colleagues experienced threats, abuse and physical attacks daily.
Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: ‘It is completely unacceptable for the safety and comfort of passengers and airline staff to be jeopardised by people who have had too much to drink.
‘Restrictions on alcohol sales both at airports and on-board flights need to be considered to help prevent these shocking and dangerous incidents.’
She added: ‘To stop duty-free purchases being consumed onboard, they should either be sealed or placed in the hold.
‘Bringing transport alcohol sales into the licensing system would help to prevent alcohol-related harm, making travel safer and more enjoyable for everyone.’
In November a sheriff described the disruptive behaviour caused by drunken airline passengers as ‘endemic’. His comments followed the arrest of two men at Glasgow Airport who claimed there was a bomb on a flight while drunk in the departure lounge.
‘Restrictions need to be considered’