Michael O’Leary, the outspoken chief of Ryanair, has called for stricter regulations on alcohol sales at airports, warning that early morning drinking is increasingly leading to disruptive behavior onboard flights.
O’Leary revealed that the airline is now forced to divert nearly one flight per day due to passenger-related incidents, a sharp rise compared to just one diversion per week a decade ago. He believes the availability of alcohol at airport bars as early as 5 or 6 a.m. is a key factor behind the growing number of unruly passengers.
Highlighting what he described as an unfair situation, O’Leary pointed out that while airports continue to serve alcohol freely, airlines are left to manage the consequences mid-flight. Currently, airside bars in Ireland and the UK operate outside standard pub licensing laws, allowing them to serve alcohol at extended hours.
To address the issue, O’Leary has proposed aligning airport bar hours with regular pub licensing rules and introducing a two-drink limit for passengers before boarding. Ryanair already enforces a similar restriction on its flights, aiming to ensure safer and more comfortable travel for both passengers and crew.