THE boss of Wetherspoons has defended airport boozing after Ryanair’s chief called for a two-drink limit on passengers.
Sir Tim Martin, who has pubs in six British airports, hit back over Michael O’Leary’s call for curbs on holiday-makers.
He said: “We’ve had no complaints about our pubs from the airport authorities or airlines in recent years.
“Years ago we stopped ‘shooters’ at airports.
“Ryanair in contrast offers a discount on Irish whiskey if a double is ordered.”
Mr Martin said alcohol sales accounted for only a third of sales at his airport pubs over the past month.
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Airline chief executive O’Leary had said a rise in violent disorder on flights is being fuelled by drinking in airports.
He said: “We don’t want to begrudge people having a drink, but we don’t allow people to drink-drive, yet we keep putting them up in aircraft at 33,000ft.”
O’Leary added that drug taking had also led to a spike in crew members and other passengers being targeted in violent outbursts.
He said: “In the old days, people who drank too much would eventually fall over or fall asleep.
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“But now those passengers are also on tablets and powder.
“It’s the mix.
“You get much more aggressive behaviour that becomes very difficult to manage.”