UK. A call for alcohol sold at airport stores to be placed in sealed bags in a bid to curb disruption on flights will do little to address anti-social behaviour resulting from misuse, according to the UK Travel Retail Forum (UKTRF).
A new UK Department of Transport (DoT) consultation paper Beyond the Horizon – The future of UK aviation, published on Saturday, gathered views on the country’s aviation strategy from industry, business, consumers and environmental groups. It has received widespread coverage in the UK media.
Airline data indicates around 70% of disruptive passenger incidents are caused by alcohol, the report said. Reducing anti-social behaviour related to alcohol, raising awareness of the consequences and strengthening regulation are all discussed in the report.
One of the options being considered is to place alcohol in Sealed Tamper Evident Bags (STEBS) and forbidding passengers to open or consume their purchases until they reach their final destination.
“STEBs were introduced as a security measure with the specific purpose of facilitating transfer passengers purchasing duty free liquids,” said UKTRF Chair Sarah Branquinho. “UKTRF does not think that putting duty free alcohol in Sealed Tamper Evident Bags will make any difference whatsoever to this UK societal problem.
“UKTRF and other aviation stakeholders are however working with the Department for Transport on combating disruptive behaviour. Our goal is simple – to ensure that a small minority of travellers do not spoil the travel experience for everyone else.
“A Code of Practice was initiated and signed by UKTRF and other industry stakeholders in late 2016. We are now seeking to strengthen the Code and are making concrete proposals to do so,” she added.
“Our goal is simple – to ensure that a small minority of travellers do not spoil the travel experience for everyone else” – Sarah Branquinho
The UKTRF has called for the following measures to be taken urgently:
- A collaborative approach by all airport stakeholders to deal with problem passengers. Airlines, ground handling agents, F&B operators, duty free retailers, airport police and airport management need to work together to identify problems at an early stage and to deal with them effectively. There are now many examples of how UK airport stakeholders working together can quickly reduce the number and the seriousness of incidents.
- More stringent legal punishments for offenders. Disruptive and violent behaviour in the air is a serious crime, which could put lives at risk. The punishment for offenders should reflect that.
- Greater information sharing among airlines about problem passengers and the creation of a shared blacklist.
- A UK-wide PR/information campaign on the dangers of disruptive behaviour when travelling by air, which would include clear warnings at strategic points throughout airports.
“The Department for Transport will be gathering evidence on this issue in the coming months and we look forward to participating in that process,” added Branquinho.
The report stated it is not yet clear what proportion of alcohol is brought into the airport by passengers, or purchased airside and then consumed onboard, or whether alcohol is consumed before arriving at the airport. Neither is the consumption of alcohol “easily monitored or prevented by crew” the report said.
A recent report by the House of Lords Select Committee recommended that the Licensing Act 2003 be extended to airside premises at airports to allow for greater oversight. The Home Office is set to issue a call for evidence to assess the impact that better licensing could have on reducing alcohol-related disruption in the aviation sector.
The report acknowledges many airlines and airports are working to address the issue with actions such as warning signs at check-in desks and patrolling staff.
The penalty for drunkenness on an aircraft by UK law could result in imprisonment for up to two years, an unlimited fine, or both.
