Ryanair CEO Calls for Two-Drink Limit to Reduce In-Flight Disruptions
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has proposed a two-drink limit at airport bars in an effort to address the growing issue of disorderly behavior on flights. Citing a significant rise in alcohol-related incidents during flights, O’Leary emphasized the need for stricter alcohol controls to ensure passenger and crew safety.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, O’Leary expressed concern about the increase in violent and disruptive behavior on flights, noting that assaults and unruly incidents are now reported on a weekly basis. “We don’t want to begrudge people having a drink,” O’Leary said. “But we don’t allow people to drink-drive, yet we keep putting them up in aircraft at 33,000 feet.”
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported a notable uptick in unruly passenger incidents in 2023, with one incident occurring for every 480 flights, compared to one per 568 flights in 2022. The most common issues reported included non-compliance with safety regulations, verbal abuse, and intoxication.
O’Leary highlighted that flights to popular holiday destinations like Ibiza and the Greek Islands have been particularly affected by aggressive behavior. He identified regional airports in the United Kingdom, including Liverpool, Glasgow, Manchester, and Edinburgh, as hotspots for such incidents. Additionally, flights to and from Ireland and Germany have also experienced similar challenges.
One of the difficulties airlines face is detecting intoxicated passengers before they board. “As long as they can stand up and shuffle, they will get through. Then when the plane takes off, we see the misbehavior,” O’Leary explained. He emphasized that while assaults on cabin crew are a major concern, there has also been an increase in altercations between passengers.
O’Leary attributed the rise in aggressive behavior to the combination of alcohol and other substances. “In the old days, people who drank too much would eventually fall over or fall asleep. But now those passengers are also on tablets and powder,” he said, adding that this mix makes it harder to predict and manage aggressive behavior.
In response to the escalating problem, O’Leary is urging the new Labour Government to consider implementing a two-drink limit for passengers before they board flights. This measure, he believes, could help reduce the likelihood of alcohol-fueled incidents and create a safer environment for all passengers and crew members.
The Ryanair CEO’s call for action reflects growing concerns within the aviation industry about the impact of alcohol on passenger behavior. As airlines and regulators seek solutions to curb disruptive behavior, O’Leary’s proposal for a drink limit at airport bars could become a key part of the discussion on how to improve flight safety and passenger conduct.