Published on Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Airlines call for duty-free drinking on flights to be made illegal

Airlines have asked for a change in the law to make drinking duty-free booze on planes a criminal offence.

Airlines UK, which represents several major airlines including British Airways, easyJet and Virgin, said the move would reduce the number of air rage incidents.

According to Sky News, Airlines UK chief executive Tim Alderslade said airlines are asking for an amendment to the Air Navigation Order to make it illegal for passengers to drink alcohol they have bought in duty-free whilst on a flight.

News of the airlines' intentions follows an incident earlier this month when 23 passengers from two different stag parties were removed from a flight at Manchester because of disruptive behaviour.

However, a Department for Transport spokesman told Sky News that it had no plans to change the rules around drinking alcohol on flights.

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Duty Free Alcohol Abuse

I agree with Paul- there generally is enough 'free' booze available on flights - unless its an LCC- and Duty Free means its supposed to be taken to the destination country- and not used for a drunken riot onboard! Who knows what these guys could get up to- they could even cause a crash if they go really wild ans attack crew and aircraft. How about handing the packages to staff onboard- who can keep it during flight time- and on deplaning the passengers could collect their parcels again.

By Inge Beadle, Thursday, May 4, 2017
Great Idea

Having sat through a group of loud and drunk passengers out of Gatwick on a 6am flight I am in favour of anything that reduces this discomfort. The continual foul language was very up seting for my wife.

By Paul Johnston, Wednesday, May 3, 2017