The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported one incident for every 568 flights in 2022, a sharp increase from one per 835 flights in 2021. In Europe, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) reveals that every three hours, the safety of a flight within the EU is compromised by disruptive passengers, with at least 70% of these cases involving some form of aggression.
In response to this growing issue, Ryanair has taken a firm and commendable stance. Recently, the airline initiated legal proceedings in the Irish courts, seeking over €15,000 in damages from a passenger whose unruly behavior forced a flight to divert, causing significant disruption to 160 passengers. Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, has even suggested limiting passengers to two alcoholic drinks at airports as a proactive measure to curb such incidents.
FPU Romania spoke to Pro TV News about the dangers of alcohol consumption during flights and the initiative to restrict alcohol sales in airports.
Air travel is meant to be a safe and pleasant experience, but disruptive passengers can turn a flight into a nightmare for everyone onboard. The airline’s decisive action has been warmly welcomed by its staff in Bucharest. Cristina Dragoș, senior cabin crew for Ryanair and a representative of FPU Romania at Otopeni base, expressed her support:
“We welcome the company’s stance on this matter and are happy to see that we have the company’s backing when dealing with unruly passengers. It motivates us to perform our duties well, knowing we’re protected and supported by our employer.”
Ryanair’s active zero-tolerance policy and its recent legal action set a strong example for the entire industry. In a highly regulated environment where safety is the top priority, these behaviors simply have no place. In the long run, a mix of education and firm action is likely the only solution to addressing extreme cases of disruptive passengers.
FPU Romania supports all airlines and employers who take these measures to make sure the onboard experience remains safe and enjoyable, allowing everyone to reach their destination as planned.
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