Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
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.
18 January 2019
A plant-based diet is needed to protect future generations and safeguard the wellbeing of the planet, according to experts.
[more...]
17 January 2019
Campaigners are protesting outside the High Court in London as the legal challenge against Heathrow Airport's controversial expansion ramps up.
16 January 2019
A new way to predict a woman's risk of breast cancer has been unveiled by scientists - and it's the most comprehensive method yet.
15 January 2019
NHS commissioners could be slapped with a £2,500 fine for every patient left waiting more than a year for vital care, new proposals suggest.
12 January 2019
All UK airports should buy anti-drone technology and not rely on the Royal Air Force to help out, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has said.
10 January 2019
The military was brought in on Tuesday night after police officers saw a drone operating at Heathrow Airport, forcing departures to be suspended for an hour.
11 January 2019
A so-called "drug sponge" that mops up leftover drugs from cancer treatment could improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy, new research has claimed.
09 January 2019
A hormone released during exercise could help protect the brain from Alzheimer's disease, new research suggests.
08 January 2019
Ryanair has been labelled the worst airline operating in the UK for the sixth year running in a leading consumer group survey.
05 January 2019
Anti-drone technology will be deployed at the UK's two busiest airports in response to the disruption caused before Christmas.
04 January 2019
A new cancer-detecting breathalyser test is being trialled in the UK - in a move that could revolutionise the way the disease is diagnosed.
03 January 2019
The average 10-year-old child will have already eaten more sugar in their life than the maximum amount recommended for 18-year-olds, a new study reveals.