With Air Rage on the Rise, U.K. Airlines & Officials Urge Airports to Restrict Alcohol Sales
Mary Minor Davis February 20, 2015
In light of statistics reflecting an increase in the number of incidents of unruly passenger behavior on U.K. flights, airlines are calling for stricter alcohol control in the departure lounge.
Although the U.S. airlines reported record-low “unruly passenger” incidents, airlines in the U.K. do not appear to be experiencing the same good fortune. From bomb threats and assaults on the cabin crew, to smoking in the bathrooms and even trying to get in to the aircraft cockpit, air rage is on the rise in the U.K.
The Times reports that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) reported 114 cases of disruptive passengers in 2014, up from 85 in 2013, 47 in 2012, and 39 in 2011. The CAA said the number of incidents is “relatively small” compared to the two million flights departing the U.K. annually, but noted that alcohol consumption in the departure lounges played a major factor in the increase.
To combat the issue of intoxicated passengers causing incidents on commercial flights, the CAA has advised airports to impose tougher restrictions on alcohol sales. Nathan Stower, chief executive of the British Air Transport Association, told The Times:
Airlines set tough rules around the consumption of alcohol and can refuse to carry someone who is drunk to prevent disruptive behavior and ensure the safety and security of their passengers and crew. Pubs, bars and restaurants in airports in the U.K. and overseas must play their part.
While air rage can result in significant fines, a USA Today report recently showed few people actually pay the full amount of such fines, settling for lesser or zero payments. According to DailyMail, unions disagree over how to enforce the issue and question whether the fines actually work.
[Photo: iStock]
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Perhaps if the airlines didn't treat the coach passengers like cattle, everyone would be much more relaxed.
My guess is that in the wake of 9/11, penalties in the US became much tougher for unruly passengers. I don't know what the penalties are for acting up on an airplane within the UK and Europe, but I do know that if you misbehave on a plane in the US, the penalties can be harsh.
londonbuss, looks like the USians can handle their alcohol as it's the British airlines complaining of unruly passengers ;)
Whatever happened to personal accountability? So we are going to penalize 2-million people for the actions of 114? Nutty.
You're drinking with the wrong USians LondonBus! ;)