A proposal is in the works to prevent unruly passengers who are drunk or disorderly from boarding flights. The plan involves creating a list of such passengers that could be shared among different airlines. If a passenger with a history of rude, aggressive, or intoxicated behavior attempts to check in for a flight, airlines would be notified and could choose to ban them from flying with them in the future.
Currently, there are data protection regulations that hinder the sharing of passenger information between airlines. Efforts are being made to address this issue, with a potential system under development where airlines would inform authorities about disruptive passengers. The government would then maintain a record of these individuals and alert airlines if they try to book another flight.
Discussions are set to take place in June between officials and airline representatives to advance these proposals. The industry generally supports these measures to tackle disruptive behavior that endangers the safety of passengers and crew, disrupting travel experiences.
Existing laws already impose severe penalties, including criminal charges, for disruptive passengers. Being intoxicated on a plane is a criminal offense, and disorderly conduct can lead to imprisonment, hefty fines, or being responsible for covering the costs of diverting a flight, which could exceed £10,000. Additionally, disruptive behavior poses risks to flight safety and could result in flight diversions.
Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, previously suggested banning alcohol sales at airports during early morning hours to curb disruptive incidents. The airline has also implemented minimum fines for passengers whose behavior leads to removal from flights. Such actions aim to protect passengers from unnecessary disruptions caused by a minority of unruly individuals.
Industry stakeholders emphasize a zero-tolerance approach toward disruptive behavior and see the creation of a national ban list as a crucial step in preventing a small number of passengers from causing disturbances during air travel. Collaboration between airlines and the government is key to implementing effective solutions to address disruptive behavior and ensure a safe and pleasant flying experience for all travelers.