Airlines renew calls for tougher alcohol controls at airports

A leading low fares airline has renewed calls for greater controls on the sale of alcohol to passengers travelling through airports, after new figures revealed more than 120 people were arrested at Scotland’s main hubs over the past 20 months.

According to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act, police have made 121 arrests at the nation’s four largest airports since the beginning of 2016.

Those arrested include passengers who were under the influence of alcohol and being aggressive towards airport staff.

The figures have prompted some airlines to reiterate the need for a ban on early morning alcohol sales in terminals. Airports are currently exempt from the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, meaning that restrictions on round-theclock alcohol sales in stores do not apply to them.

But Jet2 has banned the sale of alcohol on its flights before 8am and is calling on airports to follow suit.

A spokesman for the airline said: “Our data shows that the majority of such incidents are fuelled by alcohol. There are a number of factors involved: increased retail opportunities, discount or multibuy offers on alcohol in duty-free shops, and bars and even coffee shops selling alcohol. Passengers are able to start their consumption of alcohol very early on in their journeys.”

Last month, Ryanair called on airports across the UK to the ban the sale of alcohol in bars and restaurants before 10am. It added that airports should introduce the mandatory use of boarding cards for all transactions involving alcohol, with passengers limited to a maximum of two purchases.

The newly disclosed figures, released to the Times newspaper, show there were 84 arrests at Scottish airports last year,15fewerthanthenumber recorded in 2015.

A spokesman for Glasgow Airport where 45 people were arrested last year, said instances of disruptive behaviour were “extremely rare” and covered a “broad range of offences”.

A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport pointed out it handled more than 12 million passengers last year, with the number of incidents in “the absolute minority of cases”.

He added: “Any abuse directed towards staff on our campus is completely unacceptable and is dealt with accordingly.”

The Airport Operators Association said it has worked with airport police, bars, restaurants and retailers as well as with airlines to develop the UK aviation industry code of practice on disruptive passengers.