Airport bars licenses set to brought into line with the high street in bid to cut binge drinking before flights
Disruptive behaviour on flights has gone up fourfold in four years
THE days of breakfast beers at the airport could be over as the Government considers a crack-down on binge drinking before a flight.
Incidents of disruptive behaviour on airplanes have more than quadrupled in the last four years, but now airport bars, shops and restaurants to be subject to the same alcohol laws as the high street.
Despite the fact it is illegal to be drunk on a plane – punishable by up to two years in prison – industry data shows around 70% of disruptive incidents on flights involve alcohol.
Currently, licensing laws banning alcohol sales outside permitted hours do not apply to “airside” sales once passengers have gone through security.
Airport bars and retailers also do not face having their licence revoked if they behave irresponsibly – such as serving people who are already drunk.
The Home Office is now poised to announce plans to amend the Licensing Act 2003 so it includes outlets selling alcohol airside.
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Tim Alderslade, chief executive of industry group Airlines UK, told the Daily Mail: “Given alcohol plays a major role in disruptive passenger behaviour, it is essential that its sale in airports is done responsibly.”
A spokesman for the Home Office said: “Most UK air passengers behave responsibly, but any disruptive or drunk behaviour is entirely unacceptable.”
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