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20 September 2016 07:42
Concerns have been raised about the influence of alcohol on air passengers
Concerns have been raised over flight disruptions caused by heavy drinking among passengers.
Figures from the Civil Aviation Authority seen by BBC Radio 5 Live Investigates point to a large rise in the number of air rage incidents encountered by the UK's airlines in recent years. It said the total climbed from 85 dangerous incidents back in 2013 to 386 last year.
Steps are now being taken by airlines to reduce the number of air rage incidents taking place. For instance, budget carrier Jet2 is banning the sale of alcohol before 8am on its flights.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, the company's managing director, Phil Ward, said life-long bans have been given to 22 people since the start of the year.
He indicated that unruly passengers might behave better if a "banned by one, banned by all" approach was taken jointly by the country's airlines.
Mr Ward told the show: " I think it would act as a very strong deterrent and in fact there is some work with all the airlines together going on to bring that to the table, to see if that can be correctly arranged between us all."
He said efforts should now be made to launch a consistent approach to this concept.
Airport drinking
Mr Ward also raised concerns about people drinking in airport bars before they even set foot on a plane, with some consuming alcohol very early in the day.
He stated: "I'm not trying to spoil people's holidays at all but it's not normal to drink a pint at six in the morning and that then manifests itself on-board the airplane where the alcohol takes a greater effect."
According to Jet2, it is the first European airline to ban alcohol on its early-morning flights. At the time it launched the ban, it said other firms should now look to follow its lead.
Staying protected
Travel insurance could come in handy for those impacted by disrupted or cancelled flights.
This type of cover can also protect people against medical expenses and the costs associated with lost luggage.
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