£80k fines to curb drinking on f lights

AIRPORTS are warning passengers that excessive drinking could cost them as much as £80,000 in a government-backed bid to crack down on abusive behaviour. The One Too Many campaign is being launched at nine airports across the UK, including Glasgow and Aberdeen.

Passengers will be warned that being drunk on a flight could see them fined £5,000 or even jailed for up to two years.

And if a flight has to be diverted because of unruly behaviour, then the person responsible can be forced to pay as much as £80,000 as well as being banned from flying with the airline.

Earlier this year, Glasgow Airport banned ‘party drinks’ and shots such as tequila slammers and flaming sambucas in a bid to tackle rowdy holidaymakers.

The curbs are part of a zero tolerance campaign at the airport and passengers will also be prevented from drinking alcohol bought in duty free shops in the terminal or on flights.

It comes as figures published by Nats, the national air traffic control service, showed yesterday was the busiest day of the year for flights in the UK.

Aviation Minister Baroness Sugg said: ‘Disruptive passengers have the potential to ruin other people’s flights, and this campaign is an important new step to ensure all passengers are aware of the consequences they face if they behave disruptively after drinking before or on board a flight.

‘I am pleased to see the industry come together to ensure the experiences at our airports and on flights remain positive for everyone.’

Phil Ward, managing director of Jet2.com, said: ‘The issue of disruptive passenger behaviour caused by drinking too much alcohol affects many airlines.

‘Although our crew and colleagues are highly trained and do a fantastic job in often difficult circumstances, it is unacceptable that they must be left to manage the consequences of excessive alcohol consumption.

‘At the same time, customers travelling on holidays should not be subjected to this behaviour.’

Rafael Schvartzman, regional vice-president in Europe for the International Air Transport Association, said: ‘While we should remember that disruptive passenger incidents are still relatively rare, they rank in the top three concerns of cabin crew, and any incident is one too many.

‘Airlines have a zero-tolerance approach to unruly behaviour and cabin crew and passengers have a right to a flight free from disturbance and harassment.’

Since January there have been only 16 disruptive incidents among 3.5million travellers at Glasgow Airport. In a further bid to tackle anti-social behaviour, police will be informed when large group flight bookings, such as for hen and stag parties, are made.