Michael O’Leary doubles down on two-drink limit on flights

He called on airports to do the same last month.

The Ryanair boss put out a call for alcohol limits in airports to tackle a rise in disorder on flights, particularly those heading to party destinations such as Ibiza.

Asked by Sky News if he would restrict passengers to two alcoholic drinks, Mr O'Leary said he would be "happy to do it tomorrow".

He added: "If the price of putting a drink limit on the airport, where the problem is being created, is putting a drink limit on board the aircraft, we've no problem with that.

"The real issue is how do we stop these people getting drunk at airports particularly as, like this summer, we've had a huge spike in air traffic control delays.

"They're getting on board with too much alcohol in their system. If we identify them as being drunk on board, we don't serve them alcohol. But that doesn't solve the problem."

Michael O'Leary doubles down on two-drink limit on flights

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph last month, he said violent outbursts are occurring weekly with alcohol, especially when mixed with other substances.

“We don’t want to begrudge people having a drink," he said.

"But we don’t allow people to drink-drive, yet we keep putting them up in aircraft at 33,000 feet."

He added that it was difficult for airlines to identify inebriated people at the gate, especially when boarding in a group.

“As long as they can stand up and shuffle they will get through. Then when the plane takes off we see the misbehaviour.”

O’Leary said crew members and other passengers have become targets with delays adding to the problem with longer drinking times at airports.

“In the old days, people who drank too much would eventually fall over or fall asleep. But now those passengers are also on tablets and powder,” he said.

“It’s the mix. You get much more aggressive behaviour that becomes very difficult to manage.”

Mr O’Leary said Ryanair staff search bags before passengers are allowed to board flights to Ibiza, one of the “party destinations” he says are worst affected which include some of the Greek islands.

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