Last call for pints at the airport

The much-loved travel tradition of the early morning pint is in danger.

The Home Office is considering new legislation that extends high-street licensing rules to airport terminals around the country, meaning airport bars and restaurants would be prohibited from selling booze before 10am – putting an end to the pre-holiday breakfast pint. How else will we steady our nerves before take-off?

Here’s what you need to know:

  • Airline lounges are exempt from the crackdown as alcohol is complementary
  • As well as no alcohol sales before 10am, Ryanair is pushing for a two drink limit per customer
  • Jet2, the low-cost airline, has already banned alcohol sales on flights before 08:00

 

A possible motive behind the proposed changes is the rise in reports of drunk and disorderly passengers on flights. A recent BBC Panorama investigation suggested arrests of drunken passengers have risen by 50% in just a year.

A Japanese pilot was arrested at Heathrow Airport for being almost 10 ten times the alcohol legal limit for a pilot. He was also two times the legal drink-drive limit in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.  

“The code of conduct isn’t working… we’re seeing these incidents on a daily, a weekly, a monthly basis. It’s the alcohol mainly in the duty free that is the significant problem,” said an anonymous crew member to Panorama.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCE_cVuw5Rw?start=7&w=560&h=315]

However, the argument to ban alcohol has been brewing since the summer when Ryanair called for restrictions at the airport. Research done by the Voice of London saw a 50/50 split between people for and against the ban.

See also: Ryanair raises hand luggage costs again. 

 

People argue this dampens the holiday spirit and would significantly affect Stag and Hen parties trying to get in the mood. Some drink as a coping mechanism for the stress of travelling. There’s no denying the pre-flight is deeply engrained into the travel habits of many Britons

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y2vlyCXutk&w=560&h=315]

Passengers already face a stiff penalty for drunken behaviour on aircraft. They can pay fines of up to £5,000 plus two years in prison.  

Words by Earyel Bowleg | Subbing by Memuna Konteh

Photo credit: Yucatar on Unsplash.

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