The chief executive of JD Wetherspoons has responded to Ryanair’s CEO remarks suggesting that alcohol should not be served in UK airports during early morning hours. Tim Martin, the founder of the pub chain, criticized Michael O’Leary’s proposal, stating that it would necessitate breathalyzing passengers at airports, which he considers an excessive measure.
Contrary to Martin’s stance, O’Leary claimed that almost one flight per day is diverted due to unruly passengers fueled by alcohol. He emphasized that these passengers often consume alcohol in airport bars before boarding, advocating for a ban on early morning alcohol service and a two-drink limit thereafter to mitigate disruptive behavior.
Martin argued against the feasibility of a two-drink limit without breathalyzing passengers and labeled it an overreaction, highlighting that many issues stem from incoming flights. He emphasized the importance of maintaining good conduct at airports and during flights for everyone’s benefit.
The 71-year-old Martin refuted any claims that Wetherspoons customers cause disturbances on flights, stating that their airport pubs are closely monitored with strict policies to prevent excessive drinking. While UK airside bars are not subject to the same alcohol serving hour restrictions as other establishments, being intoxicated on a plane is a criminal offense punishable by fines and imprisonment.
Despite the call for restrictions, alcohol is permissible on flights, including Ryanair’s, without any current proposals to change this practice. Recent incidents of disruptions have been linked to alcohol consumption at airports, such as a passenger causing commotion on a Ryanair flight from Poland to Bristol, leading to his arrest.
Ryanair recently praised a French court’s decision to convict two disruptive passengers from a Stansted to Ibiza flight diverted to Toulouse, with fines and suspended prison sentences imposed. O’Leary reiterated his stance on banning alcohol service in airports during early morning hours, questioning the necessity of serving alcohol at such times and advocating for adherence to licensing hours.
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