Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has sounded the alarm about a significant rise in air rage incidents this summer, attributing the increase partly to the growing number of flight delays. He believes that extended wait times at airports give passengers more time to consume alcohol, often exacerbating their frustration and leading to volatile behavior.
O’Leary is advocating for stricter control of alcohol consumption at airports, suggesting a two-drink limit per boarding pass as a potential solution. He argues, “The real challenge is that flight delays are at a record high this summer, leading to more drinking in airports before passengers board.”
The problem extends beyond the airport gates, however. O’Leary has also expressed concern about the increasing frequency of passenger altercations during flights, stating, “Fights among passengers are becoming more common on board, and this is the biggest challenge our crews are currently facing.” He revealed that Ryanair now deals with at least one severe assault incident every week.
O’Leary pointed to flights from Liverpool and Glasgow to Ibiza as particularly problematic, noting that “On any of our Ibiza flights, we don’t allow passengers to board with any bottles – we search their bags at the gate.”
Passengers found engaging in drunken behavior on an aircraft can face substantial penalties. Fines of up to £5,000 and a two-year prison sentence are possible. If their actions endanger the safety of the aircraft, the penalty can increase to up to five years in prison. These harsh consequences underscore the seriousness of these incidents and the need for passengers to exercise responsible behavior on board.
