Ryanair CEO Calls for Ban on Pre-Morning Flight Alcohol Sales at Airports

Key facts

• Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary proposes banning alcohol sales before morning flights at airports.
• An average of nearly one Ryanair flight per day is diverted due to disruptive passengers.
• This disruption rate has increased from one flight per week a decade ago.
• O'Leary suggests airport bars should adhere to standard licensing hours for alcohol sales.
• He advocates for a two-drink limit per passenger at airports.
• Being drunk on a plane is a criminal offense with potential fines and imprisonment.
• Ryanair is pursuing legal action against disruptive passengers to recover diversion costs.

A Pre-Flight Tradition Under Scrutiny

The familiar ritual of a morning pint at an airport bar before an early departure may soon be a relic of the past, according to a prominent voice in European aviation. Michael O’Leary, the chief executive of Ryanair, has put forth a controversial proposal: a complete ban on serving alcohol in airport bars before the first flights of the day. This call to action stems from a significant and escalating problem of passenger misbehaviour onboard aircraft. O'Leary’s airline, a major player in the low-cost travel sector, reports being forced to divert an average of nearly one flight daily because of onboard disturbances, a stark increase from just one diversion per week a decade ago. "It’s becoming a real challenge for all airlines," O'Leary stated in an interview, highlighting the widespread impact of this issue. He expressed bewilderment at the practice of serving alcohol to passengers at such early hours, questioning the rationale behind airport bars operating without the same restrictions faced by other licensed establishments.

The Escalation of Disruptive Behaviour

The chief executive of Ryanair detailed the worsening situation, noting that his airline’s operations are frequently impacted by passengers whose conduct is fuelled by excessive alcohol consumption. The statistic of nearly one flight diversion per day underscores the severity and frequency of these incidents, a dramatic shift from the past. O’Leary specifically pointed to airport bars as key contributors, citing their exemption from standard licensing hours that govern other venues selling alcohol. "There should be no alcohol served at airports outside [pub] licensing hours," he asserted, drawing a clear line between airport outlets and traditional pubs or bars. Beyond the early morning hours, O’Leary also suggested a broader measure: a two-drink limit for passengers at airports. He proposed that this could be managed through the use of boarding passes, offering a potential mechanism for control. While Ryanair itself has policies limiting drink service on its flights, the focus of his critique remains on the pre-flight environment.

Airport Bars and Licensing Exemptions

A core element of O’Leary's argument centres on the unique regulatory status of airport bars. Unlike most establishments selling alcohol, airport outlets are often permitted to operate and serve drinks at hours that would be illegal elsewhere. This lack of restriction, he argues, directly enables the problem of pre-flight intoxication. "I fail to understand why anybody is serving people at five or six o’clock in the morning," O’Leary told The Times newspaper, questioning the industry norms. He suggested that airports themselves are "profiteering off it" by allowing these practices to continue, implying a financial motive that overrides passenger safety and comfort concerns. Ryanair, for its part, maintains a policy of serving no more than two drinks to a passenger on its flights. The airline has not yet confirmed the specific time at which it begins alcohol sales onboard its own services, leaving a point of potential scrutiny. However, O'Leary's immediate focus is on the airport environment prior to boarding.

Legal Repercussions and Broader Concerns

The consequences for passengers who disrupt flights are significant. Being intoxicated on an aircraft is a criminal offence in the United Kingdom, carrying potential penalties of a fine up to £5,000 and a two-year prison sentence. Ryanair has also taken a firmer stance financially, initiating legal action to recover costs incurred from diversions. Last year, the airline announced it had begun legal proceedings against a passenger to claim €15,000 (approximately £12,500) in damages. This followed a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote that was forced to divert due to the passenger's behaviour. The airline has also stated it would fine passengers €500 for unruly conduct leading to their removal from a flight. O'Leary also alluded to a more complex issue, describing a "volatile mix of alcohol and 'people shoving powder (drugs) up their nose'" as a growing concern. He noted that women are as frequently involved in such incidents as men, indicating a broad demographic of offenders.

A Call for Industry-Wide Action

The issue of disruptive passengers is not confined to Ryanair. Jet2, another airline operating in the UK, recently called for the establishment of a national database. Such a system would allow airlines to collaborate and share information, enabling them to collectively ban repeat offenders and prevent future incidents. O'Leary’s proposal for a ban on early morning alcohol sales and a drink limit directly addresses the root cause as he perceives it: the unfettered availability of alcohol at airports. His comments, published in The Times, have ignited a debate about the responsibilities of airports, airlines, and passengers in ensuring safe and orderly air travel. The airline industry, grappling with increased passenger volumes and a rise in reported incidents, is seeking solutions that go beyond individual airline policies. The push for regulatory changes at the airport level, as advocated by O'Leary, suggests a recognition that systemic issues require coordinated, and potentially legislative, interventions.

The bottom line

• Ryanair's CEO advocates for banning alcohol sales at airports before morning flights.
• The airline cites a daily average of nearly one flight diversion due to disruptive, alcohol-fuelled passenger behaviour.
• O'Leary suggests airport bars should operate under standard licensing hours and implement a two-drink limit.
• Disruptive passenger behaviour on flights is a criminal offence with potential legal penalties.
• Ryanair is taking legal action to recover costs from flight diversions caused by unruly passengers.
• The airline industry is exploring measures like national databases to ban repeat offenders.