Ryanair has once again called for a two-drink limit per passenger at airport bars, stating that such a policy would lead to “a safer travel experience for passengers and crews”. The airline announced last week that it has begun legal proceedings to recover losses from disruptive passengers as part of a “major misconduct clampdown”.
It revealed that it has filed civil legal proceedings against a passenger in Ireland, seeking 15,000 euros (£12,600) in damages related to a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote which was diverted to Porto in April last year. Ryanair argues that the passenger’s behaviour was the cause of the diversion.
The airline detailed that the 15,000 euros includes costs such as overnight accommodation for over 160 passengers and six crew members (7,000 euros or £5,900), Porto Airport landing and handling fees (2,500 euros or £2,100), and Portuguese legal fees (2,500 euros or £2,100). A spokesperson for Ryanair criticised European governments for their “repeated failure to take action when disruptive passengers threaten aircraft safety and force them to divert”.
He added: “It is time that European Union authorities take action to limit the sale of alcohol at airports. Airlines like Ryanair already restrict and limit the sale of alcohol on board our aircraft, particularly in disruptive passenger cases.
Ryanair has been critical
(Image: Nick Ansell/PA)
“However, during flight delays, passengers are consuming excess alcohol at airports without any limit on purchase or consumption. We fail to understand why passengers at airports are not limited to two alcoholic drinks (using their boarding pass in exactly the same way they limit duty free sales), as this would result in safer and better passenger behaviour on board aircraft, and a safer travel experience for passengers and crews all over Europe.”
Ryanair’s request to restrict airport passengers to two alcoholic beverages per person was initially voiced by CEO Michael O’Leary in August last year, citing a rise in unruly behaviour on flights.