Europe’s largest low-cost carrier Ryanair is urging European authorities to impose a two-drink limit at airport bars, as it pursues legal action to recover €15,000 in costs from an allegedly disruptive passenger.
The Dublin-based airline wants airports to implement a boarding pass requirement for alcohol purchases at bars and pubs, similar to existing protocols in duty-free shops, to curb pre-flight drinking.
“We fail to understand why passengers at airports are not limited to two alcoholic drinks, as this would result in safer and better passenger behaviour on board aircraft, and a safer travel experience for passengers and crews all over Europe,” Ryanair said Monday.
The airline’s push for stricter alcohol regulations comes as it seeks to recover costs after a Dublin to Lanzarote flight was diverted to Porto last April. The lawsuit, filed in Irish courts, demands €15,000 from an unidentified passenger, including €7,000 for passenger and crew accommodation, €2,500 in landing fees, and €1,800 for crew replacement due to flying hour restrictions.
Additional claims include €800 for excess fuel, €750 in lost inflight sales, and €2,500 in Portuguese legal fees. The case was moved to Dublin after Portuguese authorities determined Irish jurisdiction was appropriate, given both the aircraft and passenger’s origin.
Whilst aircraft crews can already refuse to serve alcohol mid-flight, Ryanair, which operates 3,600 daily flights across 37 countries, is seeking broader legal restrictions at European airports, where passengers can currently drink without limits during flight delays.
Most European airports, including British facilities with high street-style pubs, continue to serve alcohol without restrictions. Airline staff report that problems typically arise from passengers who become intoxicated before boarding rather than from in-flight drinking.
Read more:
