Latest News

Share this article

UK considers lockout laws for airport bars to curb inflight drunken behaviour

First it was Sydney, then it was Ibiza (yes, they're practically shutting down the party island), and now airport bars - although this one may be justified.

First it was Sydney, then it was Ibiza (yes, they’re practically shutting down the party island), and now airport bars – although this one may be justified.

The UK is looking at restricting alcohol intake at its airport bars in order to reduce the number of drunken-related incidents mid-flight.

Currently gateway bars are exempt from any legislation governing their operating hours, which allows them to sell alcohol at any time of the day.

 

via GIPHY

However, local leaders as well as a few airlines have requested airport bars be subject to restrictions in order to curb an increase in inflight alcohol-related fights.

Aka introduce lockout laws.

Should this be approved, local councils will be permitted to ban the sale of alcohol outside of certain hours, limit drinks per customer and close bars should they breach regulation.

 

via GIPHY

Ryanair said last year that ideally it would like to see UK airports stop selling alcohol before 10.00am and to limit customers to a maximum of two drinks.

According to a 2015 analysis of inflight incidents, there was a 40 percent increase in booze-related air rage during the first six months of the year compared to the prior year.

READ: Booze-related air rage on the rise

READ: Alcohol experts mix-up new beverages for Qantas lounges

When do you think airport bars should stop servicing alcohol?