Airlines call for stricter rules over passengers taking drink on flights

MINISTERS must ban “bring your own booze” on flights, airlines have said, after figures showed a rise in arrests for unruly behaviour.

Airlines, airports and retailers have joined forces to demand a change in the law to stop people opening their duty-free purchases on board as it emerged that more than half of all disturbances involved alcohol bought and brought on board before departure.

Budget carrier Ryanair went one step further yesterday, demanding a two drink per person limit in terminals and that alcohol sales be banned in airports before 10am.

It follows research by the BBC that revealed police made 387 arrests for alcohol-related offences at airports and on planes last year, up from 255 in 2015-16. Airline staff are claiming the increase means they can no longer control the amount of bad behaviour.

Airlines want the Government to make it illegal to drink alcohol on board unless it has been served by the crew.

Airlines UK, the Airport Operators Association and the UK Travel Retail Forum said in a joint statement: “Airports and duty-free retailers are supporting airline calls for government to amend the Air Navigation Order to make it a criminal offence for passengers to consume any alcohol not bought on board the aircraft.

“Much of the work of industry is about making it socially unacceptable to consume excessive alcohol on board or at the airport, and to make it clear that disruptive behaviour will have severe consequences.

“The combination of the industry action already being taken and a change in the law will discourage excessive alcohol consumption and maintain a comfortable experience for all passengers, crew and airport staff.”

In May, a Virgin Atlantic flight from London to Jamaica was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Bermuda when a man on board became abusive after drinking.

Ally Murphy, a former Virgin Airlines cabin crew manager, told the BBC’S Panorama: “People just see us as barmaids in the sky. They would touch your breasts, or your bum or your legs … I’ve had hands going up my skirt before … I never reported it to the police because sadly, and this is completely wrong … you kind of just accept it as part of the job. And it shouldn’t be.”

Another crew member said Alicante, Ibiza and Palma were among the worst routes for drink-related offences.