Ryanair Proposes Two-Drink Limit at Airports to Curb Disruptions

As airports bustle with travelers gearing up for their next journey, Ryanair is raising a call for change. The low-cost airline is once again urging EU authorities to introduce a two-drink limit on alcohol consumption at airport bars, similar to the restrictions placed on duty-free sales.

This call comes after a disruptive passenger on one of its flights cost the airline over $18,000, highlighting the growing issue of alcohol-fueled incidents at airports and onboard flights. In this article, we explore Ryanair’s reasoning and the breakdown of costs related to a disruptive event that has sparked their latest plea.

Ryanair’s Call for a Safer Airport Experience

Ryanair has long been vocal about the need for greater safety measures to curb disruptive behavior caused by alcohol consumption at airports. The airline’s latest push follows a disruptive incident involving a passenger on a Dublin-Lanzarote flight last April.

Pink Clouds, Big Impact: The Science Behind Aerial Flame Retardants

The disruption forced the plane to divert to Porto, incurring a staggering €15,350 in costs. Ryanair argues that this situation is not unique and that similar incidents could be minimized with a simple yet effective rule: limiting the number of alcoholic drinks passengers can purchase before boarding.

The airline suggests that passengers should only be allowed two alcoholic drinks, checked using their boarding passes, just as duty-free purchases are regulated. This, they believe, would not only create a safer and more controlled airport environment but also ensure better passenger behavior on flights.

FAA Orders Urgent Landing Gear Inspections for Boeing 767 Fleet

According to Ryanair, this move would result in “safer and better passenger behavior on board aircraft and a safer travel experience for passengers and crews all over Europe.”

The Cost Breakdown of the Porto Diversion

Ryanair has broken down the significant costs incurred by the diversion of a Dublin-Lanzarote flight to Porto, a disruption caused by one passenger’s unruly behavior. Here’s a breakdown of the €15,350 expenditure:

• Excess fuel: €800
• Passenger and crew overnight accommodation: €7,000
• Porto Airport landing/handling fees: €2,500
• Loss of inflight sales: €750
• Replacement crew costs: €1,800
• Portuguese legal fees (so far): €2,500

This breakdown paints a clear picture of the financial burden that these disruptions place on airlines, especially low-cost carriers like Ryanair, which already operates on tight margins. The airline asserts that measures to limit alcohol consumption at airports could prevent such incidents, saving money and, more importantly, protecting the safety of everyone involved.

The Bigger Picture: Alcohol and Air Travel

The issue of alcohol consumption at airports has been a growing concern for airlines and authorities alike. Excessive drinking before and during flights can lead to unruly behavior, posing risks not only to the safety of the flight but also to the comfort of fellow passengers and crew members. While Ryanair’s call for a two-drink limit has gained attention, other airlines and airports may soon follow suit if this approach proves effective in reducing disturbances.

In recent years, airlines have increasingly been advocating for measures to curb alcohol-related disruptions. The implementation of stricter rules around alcohol sales, combined with better enforcement, could be the key to ensuring safer, more peaceful air travel.