Michael O’Leary, the boss of Ryanair, has sparked debate by calling for a ban on early morning alcohol sales at airports. While he is known for making air travel unpleasant, his point about pre-flight drinking seems valid.
I have never been one for an early morning airport pint. Travelling at that time is wretched enough without a hangover. But many see pre-dawn drinks as a sacred holiday ritual. It takes the edge off waiting in the overlit limbo of Luton Airport and feels transgressive.
However, going drinking at that time anywhere else would be seen as concerning. The UK is not good at being reasonable about alcohol. Many cannot be trusted to have just one beer and behave with dignity on a plane. A 2018 report found 51% agree there is a serious problem with excessive drinking during flights.
O’Leary said, “It’s becoming a real challenge for all airlines. I fail to understand why anybody in airport bars is serving people at 5 or 6 o’clock in the morning.” He accused airports of profiteering. Scottish police statistics show crime and disorder at airports has risen by about 40% since 2022, with drinking blamed.
Airside bars are not subject to normal licensing laws on serving times. Airline staff can refuse boarding to drunk passengers, but this is difficult. On long-haul flights, alcohol is often free. Perhaps we could avoid drinking before 10am and give people a chance to eat breakfast first.
