Ryanair Boss Calls for Airport Morning Drinking to Be Restricted After Surge in Flight Chaos

Nearly Daily Diversions — O'Leary Wants Action

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary is calling for restrictions on alcohol sales at airports after a sharp rise in disruptive incidents caused by drunk passengers. The airline reports nearly daily flight diversions linked to intoxicated or aggressive travellers — a situation O'Leary says has become untenable.

His proposal: limit passengers to two alcoholic drinks per purchase, potentially tracked through boarding passes. He argues that airport bars operate without standard licensing hour restrictions, allowing alcohol to be served as early as 5am or 6am — a flexibility he views as directly contributing to the problem, especially when flights are delayed and passengers have extended time in the terminal.

Alicante, Ibiza and Tenerife Most Affected

Flights from Britain to Alicante, Ibiza and Tenerife are among those showing the highest frequency of alcohol-related disruptions, particularly during holiday periods. These are described as classic leisure routes where groups often arrive at the airport already in holiday mode — sometimes having started drinking well before boarding.

Alcohol Plus Drugs — A Growing Combination

The issue extends beyond alcohol alone. Airlines are increasingly encountering passengers combining alcohol with drug use, leading to more unpredictable and dangerous behaviour on board. Civil Aviation Authority figures reportedly show hundreds more disruptive incidents annually compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Serious Consequences for Those Responsible

Passengers responsible for flight diversions face significant consequences:

• Airline bans
• Criminal prosecution
• Compensation claims reaching tens of thousands of euros from airlines and fellow passengers

Being drunk on board an aircraft is a criminal offence in the UK, carrying potential fines and imprisonment. Many passengers causing disruption appear unaware — or unconcerned — about the legal exposure they face.

Industry Backing for a Shared Ban List

Other carriers including Jet2 are supporting the creation of a shared database of disruptive passengers that would enable bans to operate across multiple airlines, rather than being limited to the individual carrier that imposed them. Such a system would make it significantly harder for banned passengers to simply switch to a different airline.

For travellers flying to the Costa Blanca and other Spanish holiday destinations this summer, the message is clear: airports and airlines are under increasing pressure to act, and consequences for disruptive behaviour are growing more serious.

This article is based on reporting from Euro Weekly News, published May 6, 2026.