Title: Airports Should Limit Alcohol, According to Ryanair
Rewritten Article:
Airline giant Ryanair is pushing for stricter regulations on alcohol sales at European airports. The airline believes that EU authorities need to step in and limit the purchase and consumption of alcohol, especially during flight delays. This call to action came in the wake of a disrupted flight from Dublin to Lanzarote, which resulted in an emergency landing in Porto and a substantial financial loss for the airline.
In a statement on Monday, Ryanair expressed their concern about passengers excessively drinking without any restrictions at airports. They suggested limiting alcohol purchases to two drinks per passenger, a concept they believe could be implemented using boarding passes, much like duty-free sales are managed.
A Ryanair spokesperson questioned, "Why should passengers at airports be allowed to consume alcohol without any limits?" This measure, they believe, would lead to improved passenger behavior and a safer travel experience for both passengers and crew across Europe.
The spark for this proposal was a disruptive passenger on a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote in April 2024. The passenger's behavior forced the plane to make an emergency landing in Porto, where the individual was arrested. Due to crew working time restrictions, both the passengers and crew spent the night in Porto, delaying the flight until the next day. The unplanned stop cost Ryanair 15,350 euros.
In response, Ryanair has initiated a civil lawsuit against the passenger to recover the incurred expenses. The airline's current stance on stricter airport alcohol regulations is not just a one-off reaction, but a long-standing concern evidenced by previous incidents.
As things stand, there are no uniform regulations in Europe that limit alcohol sales at airports, but Ryanair's proposal could introduce a much-needed change. The airline argues that this measure would reduce the number of incidents involving unruly passengers and improve overall passenger behavior.
Ryanair strongly advocates for the European Union to implement stricter regulations on alcohol sales at airports, citing the disruptive incident on their Dublin to Lanzarote flight in 2024 as a prime example. The airline proposes limiting alcohol purchases to two drinks per passenger, using boarding passes for management, as a means to improve passenger behavior and safety.
