BUDGET airline Ryanair has urged airports to introduce alcohol limits to prevent drunk passengers boarding flights.
They claim inebriated passengers cause chaos for the company, cabin crew and passengers.
The call for action has been echoed by a growing number of airlines, all of whom train their crew to deal with disturbances during flights.
“It is time for EU authorities to take action to limit the sale of alcohol at airports. Airlines, such as Ryanair, already restrict and limit the sale of alcohol on board our aircraft, especially in cases of disruptive passengers. However, during flight delays, passengers consume excessive alcohol at airports without any purchase or consumption limits,” the airline said.
“We do not understand why passengers are not limited to 2 alcoholic beverages at airports (using their boarding pass in exactly the same way that duty free sales are limited), as this would lead to safer and better passenger behaviour on board aircraft, and a safer travel experience for passengers and crews across Europe.”

It comes as the number of aircrafts diverted due to disruptive passengers has doubled in the last five years.
In Spain, the problem is even worse, with incidents sky rocketing from 338 in 2020 to 1,500 in 2024.
Everyday, three flight itineraries are changed due to drunken passengers according to the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA).
“Airlines already have the right to refuse boarding to any inebriated passenger. Do not pass on your responsibility to us.” the Airports Council International Europe (ACI) responded.
They also suggested the use of breathalysers is not a solution to the issue.
“‘Breathalysers’ are ineffective if, once on board, passengers still have access to alcohol, which, by the way, is the most profitable feature for airlines when they are in the air.”
READ MORE: ‘Drunk’ passenger forces already delayed flight from London to Malaga to be diverted to Madrid
They claimed enforcing breathalyser tests would be ‘unfair’ to other holidaymakers and the ‘issue is limited to a small number of passengers.’
Drunk and disorderly passengers can cause flights to be diverted, causing chaos for crew and passengers.
For example, a recent Ryanair flight from Dublin to Lanzarote saw the plane redirected to Porto (Portugal), where the crew and over 160 passengers were forced to stay overnight.
The passenger was slammed with a €15,000 fine to cover the meals, accommodation and other necessities paid for by the airline.
The last time we flew with Ryanair there was a Welsh family sat behind us with other family members scattered in seats across the isle in two rows. The young son sat directly behind me kept kicking my seat which was sending pain up and down the metal rods supporting my spine internally. Eventually I could not stand the pain any longer so politely asked his father to stop him, explaining why. What I got was a mouthful of abuse with his wife on the other side of the isle wanting to know what I was complaining about in a very audible voice that everyone around, including the male steward heard. She was spoiling for a fight so I simply ignored her. The kicking continued as did the wife’s foul mouth abuse of me. I tried appealing to the Stewart to put a stop to it but he ignored me and carried on selling the father beer. As soon as we disembarked, the couple who had been sat in front of us turned and apologised to for the appalling behaviour of their fellow countrymen. They were Welsh and felt ashamed that we might think all Welsh people were the same. We didn’t as we have Welsh family and friends. We were appalled by the Ryanair staff continuing to sell the family alcohol whilst ignoring their behaviour and language. We voted with our feet and never flew Ryanair from that day onwards. Ryanair, not the airport needs to take responsibility to all their passengers.They should warn passengers when they book that staff have the right to refuse to board anyone having consumed too much alcohol, will off load anyone drunk or displaying disruptive behaviour, to the police at the nearest airport and hold them liable for all extra costs to airline and passengers, incurred as a result of re-directing the flight. An example of those costs should be given and Ryanair needs to carry through this action. We witnessed a Captain disembark a drunken youth from an easyJet flight who has caused mayhem in the gate area whist waiting to board his flight. Security had to be called to warn him about his behaviour and fellow passengers tipped off the cabin crew when they saw him board. Action was instant with the Captain ordering him off the plane. The delay whilst his luggage was removed was minimal. The crew said he would not be getting an Easyjet flight
home or board another in the future and his mates slept all the way home having learnt a salutary lesson. Passengers will tip off the crew as they board if they have legitimate concerns as they do not want to be unduly inconvenienced. The crew however need to act as this captain did. Take responsibility for the passengers who decide to fly with you and demonstrate that drunken behaviour has consequences.
I am trying to understand how while being so heavily reliant on the money brought in from tourism, Spain appears to be doing everything it can to destroy the tourism industry, am I missing something ?