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Wetherspoon Boss Rejects Ryanair Push to Curb Early Airport Drinking

Rising onboard disorder tied to pre‑flight drinking has revived calls to tighten airport licensing.

Overview

  • Sir Tim Martin, who responded Thursday, called Ryanair’s plan “Big Brother” and said a two‑drink cap would be hard to enforce.
  • Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary renewed his call to ban pre‑flight morning alcohol sales and cap drinks at two per passenger, saying near‑daily diversions now follow unruly behavior.
  • Airport pubs past security are exempt from normal licensing hours in the UK, and airlines want those venues brought in line with standard rules.
  • Civil Aviation Authority data show airlines face roughly 400 more disruptive passenger incidents a year than before the pandemic.
  • Airlines are testing tougher measures, with Jet2 backing a national ban list and Ryanair seeking damages in court, and UK law makes being drunk on a plane a criminal offense punishable by fines and up to two years in prison.