Low-cost airline Ryanair recently made a plea for stricter regulations on airport alcohol consumption, proposing a limit of two drinks per passenger before boarding. The airline emphasized the consequences of unruly behavior, highlighting the substantial costs associated with diverting flights due to disruptive incidents.

In a statement on January 13, 2025, a Ryanair spokesperson expressed the need for EU authorities to intervene in controlling the sale of alcohol at airports. The spokesperson argued that similar to duty-free sales, passengers should be restricted to two alcoholic beverages, which could significantly improve in-flight safety and passenger behavior across Europe.

Ryanair disclosed that while the airline already monitors alcohol sales during flights, it remains concerned about unchecked consumption at airports, particularly during delays. The airline referenced a specific incident in April 2024 when a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote was rerouted to Porto due to disruptive passenger behavior, resulting in additional expenses for accommodation and meals for 160 passengers stranded overnight at Porto Airport.

Furthermore, Ryanair revealed that it had to deploy an alternative aircraft and crew for the delayed return flight, incurring substantial costs which the airline is now seeking to recover through civil proceedings against the disruptive passenger. Despite efforts to mitigate losses, Ryanair criticized the legal complexities arising from the incident, detailing the financial impact of around €15,350 ($15,670) due to the diversion.

The airline reiterated the critical need for greater accountability and support from European governments in addressing disruptive behavior that poses risks to aircraft safety and necessitates costly diversions. This incident serves as a prominent example of the challenges airlines face in upholding passenger safety and operational efficiency in the face of disruptive incidents.