A UK aviation industry-led campaign warning passengers of the consequences of disruptive behaviour in airports and onboard has launched at 14 airports across the country.
As part of the One Too Many campaign, warnings about disruptive behaviour will be posted on digital display screens, in retail and food & beverage outlets, and via a targeted social media campaign.
The materials will remind passengers that penalties can range from being denied boarding, fines of up to £80,000, or jail for the most serious offences.
The campaign first launched in summer 2018 at ten airports and was cited as an example of industry best practice and cooperation in the UK government’s ‘Aviation 2050 – the future of UK aviation’ green paper.
UK Civil Aviation Authority figures showed a slight drop (from 417 to 413) in disruptive passenger incidents at airports last year despite 7.67 million more passengers flying in 2018 than in 2017. However, some regional leisure routes saw an increase, and 31% of reported incidents were explicitly linked to alcohol in 2017.
Aviation Minister Baroness Vere launched the 2019 campaign as the industry prepares for the conclusion of the government consultation on airport alcohol licensing.
The campaign will reinforce the UK aviation industry’s Code of Practice on Disruptive Passengers.
The UK Travel Retail Forum (UKTRF), the Airports Operators Association (AOA), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airlines UK (AUK) are the partners behind the campaign.
Participating airports are the Manchester Airport Group [which operates London Stansted, Manchester and East Midlands airports]; AGS Airports [owner of Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports]; London Heathrow; Belfast International; Liverpool John Lennon; Leeds Bradford; Bristol; Birmingham; Newcastle; and London Gatwick.
World Duty Free, the biggest provider of duty-free shops at UK airports, now sells alcohol in sealed bags to prevent the contents being accessed before or during a flight. The bags require a sharp object to get into and are labeled ‘do not open alcohol purchases until your final destination’.
Last November, the UK government launched a public consultation into airport alcohol licensing laws, saying it wanted to reduce disruption caused by drunk passengers. Airside pubs, bars, restaurants, lounges and shops at international airports in England and Wales are not subject to the 2003 Licensing Act, which the government said meant they could sell to visible drunk people and offer “irresponsible” promotions.
Cre: Business Traveler USA
Nguyen Mai Huong-COMM
