Ryanair CEO Calls for Morning Alcohol Ban at Airports

Ryanair CEO Demands Early-Morning Alcohol Ban at Airports

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has called for an immediate ban on alcohol sales at airport bars before early-morning flights, citing a dramatic surge in disruptive passenger behavior that now forces the airline to divert nearly one flight per day. In an interview with The Times, O'Leary questioned why airport bars are permitted to serve alcohol at 5 or 6 AM, arguing that standard licensing hours should apply airside. The rising cost of flight diversions due to unruly passengers has become a major financial burden for European carriers.

The Scale of the Problem

According to O'Leary, Ryanair now diverts approximately one flight every day due to onboard misconduct, a staggering increase from roughly one diversion per week a decade ago. Data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) confirms the trend: unruly passenger incidents have nearly doubled, rising from one per 835 flights in 2021 to one per 480 flights in 2023. Incidents range from verbal abuse and failure to follow crew instructions to physical assault and intoxication.

Certain routes are particularly problematic, including flights from the UK to Ibiza, Alicante, and Tenerife, as well as services from Ireland and Poland to England. O'Leary also noted that the combination of alcohol and drugs is a growing concern. "Vroeger vielen dronken mensen aan boord gewoon in slaap. Nu zie je vaker een combinatie van drank en drugs, waardoor mensen agressief of hyperactief worden," he said (translated: "Drunk people used to just fall asleep on board. Now we see more combinations of alcohol and drugs, making people aggressive or hyperactive.") He added that women are just as problematic as men in these incidents.

Proposed Two-Drink Limit and Boarding Pass System

O'Leary is advocating for a maximum of two alcoholic drinks per passenger at airports, enforced through a boarding pass-linked tracking system similar to duty-free purchase controls. He argues that while Ryanair itself is responsible onboard — rarely serving more than two drinks per passenger — airports are profiting from unlimited alcohol sales and "exporting the problem to airlines."

Airside bars operate under different licensing rules than regular pubs and cafes, allowing them to serve alcohol as early as 5 AM. O'Leary wants these exemptions removed. "I don't understand why they need to serve beer at five o'clock in the morning," he told The Times. "They keep those bars open at 5 or 6 AM and during delays they happily serve as much alcohol as passengers want, knowing they're pushing the problem onto the airlines."

The proposal has drawn criticism from some quarters. UK Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden called the plan "draconian" and noted that having a morning pint is a "peculiarly British tradition." Former DAA CEO Kenny Jacobs also argued that a two-drink limit is unnecessary, pointing out that most alcohol-related incidents at Dublin and Cork airports occur before passengers pass security.

Ryanair's Zero-Tolerance Crackdown

Ryanair has already taken significant steps to address disruptive behavior. In June 2025, the airline introduced an automatic £500 fine for any passenger offloaded due to misconduct. The airline has also pursued civil legal action against disruptive passengers, including a landmark case seeking €15,000 in damages after a Dublin-to-Lanzarote flight was forced to divert to Porto in April 2024, stranding over 160 passengers and six crew overnight at the airline's expense.

Under UK law, being drunk on an aircraft is a criminal offense punishable by fines of up to £5,000 and up to two years in prison. More serious offenses, such as endangering an aircraft, carry penalties of up to £80,000 and five years' imprisonment. Ryanair has also implemented strict onboard policies: passengers are prohibited from consuming their own alcohol, and duty-free alcohol must remain sealed in security bags. On high-risk routes, duty-free purchases are tagged and stowed in the hold.

Industry-Wide Implications

The growing problem of unruly airline passengers has become a significant operational and financial challenge for the aviation industry. IATA has called for a global framework to handle these cases, including ratification of Montreal Protocol 2014 (MP14), which closes jurisdictional gaps that often prevent prosecution of offenders on international flights. Currently, local police at diversion airports often lack authority over incidents on foreign-registered aircraft, leading to impunity.

O'Leary's call for stricter airport alcohol regulation has reignited debate about the balance between passenger freedoms and aviation safety. While some view the proposals as excessive, the financial impact of alcohol-related flight disruptions continues to mount, with airlines bearing costs for accommodation, landing fees, and compensation. Ryanair's aggressive legal strategy and public campaign signal that the industry is running out of patience with intoxicated travelers.

FAQ

What is Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary proposing?

O'Leary wants a ban on alcohol sales at airport bars before early-morning flights (before 10 AM) and a limit of two alcoholic drinks per passenger, enforced via boarding pass tracking.

How many flights does Ryanair divert due to disruptive passengers?

Ryanair now diverts nearly one flight per day due to unruly passenger behavior, up from roughly one per week a decade ago.

What penalties exist for being drunk on a plane in the UK?

Being drunk on an aircraft is a criminal offense punishable by fines up to £5,000 and up to two years in prison. Endangering an aircraft carries penalties up to £80,000 and five years.

What has Ryanair done to combat disruptive passengers?

Ryanair introduced a £500 automatic fine for offloaded disruptive passengers in June 2025, has pursued civil damages (including a €15,000 claim), and restricts alcohol consumption onboard.

Why do airport bars serve alcohol so early?

Airside bars operate under licensing exemptions that allow them to serve alcohol outside standard hours, often from 5 AM, unlike regular pubs and restaurants.

Sources

The Guardian - Ryanair boss calls for early-morning alcohol ban at airports

The Independent - Ryanair CEO calls for airport alcohol ban

Ryanair - £500 disruptive passenger fine announcement

IATA - Unruly Passenger Fact Sheet