A new proposal suggested by the UK government aims to target bad behaviour aboard flights, and could impose complete flight bans on any disruptive passengers. The scheme would create a database for airlines to document disorderly passengers, identify repeat offenders, and issue flight bans accordingly.
Database of Disruption
It has been reported that the Department for Transport and the Home Office has proposed a system that would enable carriers to document, identify, and penalise drunk and disruptive passengers. The scheme could make notifying the government of disruptive passengers a requirement for airlines. Moreover, participating airlines could sign up to be alerted if a marked passenger was to check in for a flight with them, and decide whether to remove the individual from the flight and issue a permanent barring.
At the moment, there is not a co-ordinated national approach to the issue of dealing with disruptive passengers. There is, however, the UK Aviation Industry Code of Practice on Disruptive Passengers which was drafted by a range of industry signatories, including Airlines UK, the trade body for UK registered airlines and key aviation sector representative. The voluntary code advises what is considered good practice in responding to disorderly passengers, aiming to establish a common and consistent approach that would synchronise and improve efforts to prevent and minimise disruptive behaviour.
The code highlights that excessive and uncontrolled alcohol consumption is often a key contributing factor to disruptive behaviour and incidents. Indeed, at the beginning of May Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary called for further drinking regulations at UK airports due to an increased number of disruptive incidents. Moreover, the code underlines the legal implications of disruptive behaviour on-board an aircraft, highlighting that worst cases result in fines, travel bans and custodial sentences.
The Aviation Industry Code of Practice on Disruptive Passengers is followed voluntarily, and airlines are not under any obligation to inform any other airline of the personal information of a disruptive passenger, with unruly passengers banned from one airline still able to fly with a different one. This is as a result of minimal information sharing as well as data protection laws. However, this new proposal would establish a form of register that would create actual nation-wide consequences for disruptive behaviour, including potential flight bans, which would aim to reduce the frequency and severity of disruptive incidents.
A Welcome Suggestion
The Chief Executive of Airlines UK, Tim Alderslade, emphasised that a zero tolerance policy for disruptive behaviour is maintained by UK airlines. Alderslade highlighted the need for improved preventative action, continuing,
“Additional measures for the most serious cases of disruption, including the creation of a national ban list, are an important next step in ensuring a tiny minority of passengers cannot disrupt air travel for the majority. We welcome the government’s support for further action and will work closely with ministers on delivering the right solutions.”
Though still in the concept phase, a YouGov survey conducted in April this year of 5,173 British adults suggested that the proposal was received well, with three out of four in favour of a database that would register disruptive passengers and lead to their permanent barring from flights.
Government officials are scheduled to meet with airline representatives later in June to discuss the proposal in more detail.
What do you think about the proposal? Let us know in the comments.
