A new government proposal could see passengers who cause disruption on flights banned from travelling with any airline. Officials from the Department for Transport and the Home Office are reportedly developing a scheme to facilitate information sharing among carriers regarding unruly individuals.
Currently in its conceptual phase, the initiative would potentially require airlines to inform the government about disruptive passengers. This information could then be used to alert participating airlines if the same individual attempts to check in for a subsequent flight. While the final decision on whether to refuse carriage would rest with the individual airline, they would be empowered to deny boarding.
The move comes as a YouGov survey, conducted in April among 5,173 British adults, indicated that three-quarters of the public support the creation of a database for disruptive airline passengers, enabling them to be banned from all flights. At present, a passenger banned by one airline can still fly with another due to a lack of shared information, partly attributed to existing data protection regulations.
A Government source said: “Everyone should be able to enjoy a pint at the airport, but antisocial behaviour on flights is totally unacceptable.
“It threatens the safety of passengers and crew, and disrupts hard-earned holidays.
“There are already tough laws in place to deal with offences committed on flights, but we are exploring with industry how we can better address this issue, ensuring we crack down on people who persistently cause chaos.
“Everyone should be able to fly without fuss.”
Officials are scheduled to meet with airlines later this month to discuss the planned scheme.
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of industry body Airlines UK, said: “UK airlines have a zero-tolerance approach to disruptive behaviour.
“Additional measures for the most serious cases of disruption, including the creation of a national ban list, are an important next step in ensuring a tiny minority of passengers cannot disrupt air travel for the majority.
“We welcome the Government’s support for further action and will work closely with ministers on delivering the right solutions.”
Rory Boland, editor of consumer magazine Which? Travel, said a minority of air travellers were increasingly taking airport drinking “too far”, which was “wreaking havoc for other passengers”.
He said: “When the stakes are so high and the risk to safety so great, it’s only right that the penalty for being drunk and disorderly on a flight matches the seriousness of the situation.
“It’s welcome then that the Government is proposing travel bans for the worst offenders.”
Passengers being drunk is a common cause of bad behaviour on aircraft.
Being drunk on a plane is a criminal offence and can be punished by a fine of up to £5,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary recently called for airports to be banned from serving alcohol to passengers before early morning flights, to reduce incidents of disruption on flights.
Mr O’Leary said the airline was being forced to divert an average of nearly one flight every day because of bad behaviour onboard, up from one a week a decade ago.
