More arrests over drunk air passengers

15 August 2017 08:11

The number of passengers arrested for drunken behaviour on flights or at UK airports is on the rise

The number of passengers arrested for drunken behaviour on flights or at UK airports is on the rise

More people are being arrested over drunken behaviour on board flights and at airports, according to latest statistics.

Official figures, obtained by BBC Panorama, reveal a 50% year-on-year rise in such arrests on flights or at UK airports.

There were 387 arrests in the year to February 2017, compared to 255 over the 12-month period one year earlier.

Panorama asked for data from 20 police forces with a major UK airport in their area. Some 18 of those forces responded to the BBC programme.

People should always arrange travel insurance before jetting off on holiday.

'Barmaids in the sky'

Ally Murphy, a former Virgin Airlines cabin crew manager, told Panorama: "People just see us as barmaids in the sky.

"I was pulled into an upper-class bed by a passenger who was feeling particularly lucky I guess...It's rage inducing, and you shouldn't have to deal with that.

"I guess I never reported it to the police because sadly, and this is completely wrong and only really occurring to me now, you kind of just accept it as part of the job. And it shouldn't be."

Code of conduct

The figures come months after most big airlines and airports signed up to a voluntary code of conduct, which was introduced by the aviation industry in 2016.

Under the code, a collaborative approach is urged between airports and airlines as part of efforts to limit disruptive behaviour and to sell alcohol responsibly.

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