Ryanair CEO Proposes Two-Drink Limit to Combat In-Flight Violence

Michael O'Leary, CEO of Ryanair, has proposed a two-drink limit at airport bars to address the escalating issue of in-flight violence and disorderly behavior. This suggestion comes as instances of aggression on flights have markedly increased, with incidents now occurring on a weekly basis.

O'Leary highlighted the challenges in identifying intoxicated passengers during boarding, stating, "As long as they can stand up and shuffle they will get through. Then when the plane takes off we see the misbehaviour." He emphasized that while they don't want to deny passengers a drink, the combination of alcohol with other substances has led to more aggressive conduct.

The Ryanair chief executive suggested that limiting passengers to no more than two drinks per boarding pass before boarding could help combat the rise in assaults. This restriction would be one of his primary recommendations for the new Labour Government.

Flights from the UK to popular party destinations such as Ibiza and certain Greek islands have been particularly problematic, especially those departing from regional airports like Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.

In response to these issues, Ryanair has implemented measures such as searching passengers' bags before boarding flights to Ibiza. O'Leary explained, "We used to only allow them to take bottles of water on board, not realising that they were full of vodka. Now we don't even allow them to take those."

Recent incidents highlight the severity of the problem. In August 2023, a man was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting an attendant on a Jet2 flight from Manchester to Ibiza. In the same year, four individuals were removed from an easyJet plane due to violent clashes during a flight from Manchester to Tenerife.

Sinead Quinn, responsible for training Ryanair's 14,000 cabin crew members, noted that the company has resorted to passenger bans and increased information sharing about problematic flyers with other airlines.

O'Leary also pointed out that flight delays exacerbate the situation, as passengers tend to consume more alcohol while waiting. He stressed, "It's not an alcoholics' outing," and suggested that passengers opt for coffee or tea during extended delays.

"What we're asking for won't affect profit. The bars can still sell their drinks and food. And yet government agencies in the UK and across Europe don't take it seriously."

As Europe's largest low-cost carrier, Ryanair operates over 2,000 daily flights from 86 bases. The airline, founded in 1984, has been at the forefront of implementing various policies to improve efficiency and reduce costs. While known for its no-frills business model, the company has been working on enhancing its image in recent years.

The proposed drink limit is just one of the many challenges O'Leary has faced since becoming CEO in 1994. Under his leadership, Ryanair has expanded significantly across Europe and introduced innovations such as online check-in. However, the airline has also been involved in legal disputes over its business practices and faced criticism for its customer service.

As Ryanair continues to address in-flight behavior issues, it remains committed to its ambitious growth targets and exploration of environmentally friendly technologies, balancing its low-cost model with passenger safety and comfort.