Airport in ‘party drinks’ ban to stop havoc at 30,000ft

AIRPORT chiefs have banned ‘party drinks’ and shots such as tequila slammers and flaming sambucas in a crackdown on rowdy holidaymakers.

The curbs are part of a zerotolerance campaign at Glasgow Airport.

Passengers will also be prevented from drinking alcohol bought in dutyfree shops in the airport or on flights.

Meanwhile, police will be informed when large group flight bookings – such as for hen and stag parties – have been made in an attempt to nip any potential trouble in the bud.

The action is being taken under ‘Campus Watch’, a scheme designed by airport chiefs and Police Scotland to cut flight delays or cancellations caused by disruptive behaviour.

A Glasgow Airport spokesman said: ‘We don’t want to see people scared to send that Facebook post about their first holiday pint.

‘We want them to continue to have fun and we know that most visitors are extremely well behaved.’

The Sandpiper, a Wetherspoons pub in Terminal One, has also stopped serving cocktails and jugs of booze to help stop over-enthusiastic holidaymakers causing trouble.

Wetherspoons spokesman Eddie Gershon said: ‘We volunteered to take this action ourselves as we believe it is the right approach at our airport pubs.’

Short drinks such as whisky, gin and vodka are still available at airport bars, as well as longer drinks such as a bloody mary or gin fizz.

Thanks to Campus Watch – under which airport staff have been trained to report any sign of disturbance – such incidents have halved since last year. Since January there have been only 16 disruptive incidents among 3.5million travellers.

Glasgow Airport has also launched a national advertising campaign reminding passengers how to behave.

Troublemakers can face anything from a verbal warning, being banned from a flight or even arrest. Sergeant Clare Riddoch, head of Campus Watch at the airport, said: ‘On the rare occasion someone is disruptive their behaviour can have a significant impact.

‘It can cause misery for a large number of passengers – particularly if the incident occurs on board an aircraft.

‘It’s completely understandable to want to start their holiday with a bit of fun. But people should always remember to behave appropriately, drink responsibly and make sure they’re fit to fly. Being drunk or disruptive in the airport or on board an aircraft will cost you more than just your flight.’

Karen Dee, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, said: ‘Passengers should be aware that the consequences of disruptive behaviour could include losing a holiday because they are denied boarding as well as fines, flight bans and prison sentences for the most serious offences.’

Valerie Webbe, 54, from Glasgow, was seeing her son off to Cyprus as the campaign was unveiled.

She said: ‘I don’t mind a quick drink before a flight to get in the mood but I have never understood why people feel the need to get drunk at the airport.

‘Nobody wants to sit next to somebody in a state on a long-haul flight.’

‘Make sure that they’re fit to fly’