There has been an 80% increase in incidents of disruptive passenger behaviour reported at Dublin Airport so far this year compared to the entire number of incidents recorded in 2024, according to figures from the Irish Aviation Authority.
As the airport prepares for its busiest weekend ever, the aviation industry has launched a campaign to address disruptive behaviour.
In the first five months of this year Dublin Airport garda station has dealt with more than 30 incidents of disruptive passenger behaviour.
That figure is up 80% on the total number of incidents recorded in 2024 and those figures were also up 50% on 2023.
Offensive behaviour, obstruction or assaults on an authorised officer and people intoxicated onboard aircraft have been the most common issues this year.
With more than half a million passengers due to travel through Dublin Airport this weekend, the airline industry has come together to promote an awareness campaign called #Notonmyflight.
Garda Assistant Commissioner for the Dublin Metropolitan Region Paul Cleary warned these incidents endanger passengers and crew and can also result in delayed flights and missed connections.
"There is no excuse for anti-social or disruptive behaviour.
"Over the past year we have been working with our aviation partners under a joint declaration to address disruptive and dangerous behaviour, and we remain very committed to that.
"While the majority of people travel respectfully, An Garda Síochána is prepared to act where necessary to ensure a safe and secure environment for all who travel through our airports."
Trade union Fórsa's national secretary, Katie Morgan, said unruly passenger behaviour is a crucial health and safety concern for its members.
"We've seen first-hand the effect that some unruly passenger behaviour has had on our members.
"Aviation workers have a right to a safe working environment and to be treated with dignity and respect.
"They prioritise the travelling public's safety, and this campaign helps prioritise their safety."
Watch: Jim Gavin says abusive behaviour will not be tolerated
The Irish Aviation Authority's Director of Operations Jim Gavin says that unruly behaviour has become a bigger issue since the pandemic with both alcohol and drugs often a factor, but he warned that there are serious consequences for those who disrupt air travel.
"This June Bank Holiday Weekend, over a half million people will travel to our airport, so people need to be patient, need to be co-operative, and need to be mindful of those around them.
"Abusive behaviour in the airport terminal or on the aircraft, intoxication or drug misuse where people misbehave on the aircraft will simply not be tolerated and gardaí or the local police force wherever the final destination is, will take action."
Captain Mark Tighe, President of the Irish Airline Pilots Association (IALPA) says he does not know why the issue has become more widespread but that IALPA wants to see more effective action to stop unruly passengers boarding aircraft.
"Alcohol has a large part to play in this and a system in place where we can prevent people who are intoxicated or appear to be intoxicated from boarding is very important.
"It is not a nice place to be when you have disruptive passengers, it is an unpleasant experience for all and there's always the risk of escalating into violence.
"Our crews are trained very well to deal with situations but we want to make sure that these people are stopped before they get on the aeroplane."
He said the planes captain decides what should happen in these incidences which can cause significant disruption to services.
"The captain's authority is enshrined in law, and he's responsible for the safety and good conduct of the entire flight, and he has the authority to do what is necessary in order to ensure that.
"That means having people arrested if necessary and then it's a matter for the authorities to decide how they pursue it. But ultimately, the decision lies with the captain and the captain is always making a decision with the safety of the people and the aircraft absolutely forefront of their minds."
Ryanair's Communication Manager Jade Kirwan says the airline has begun taking direct action against passengers who disrupt flights.
"We have severely clamped down on disruptive passenger behaviour, and we are issuing things like travel bans from one year up to 10 years, depending on severity of the event.
"We also will support the local authorities in their pursuit of criminal cases against disruptive passengers and as of late, we've actually started pursuing our own direct cases against passengers. We are implementing real consequences that will hopefully deter any further disruptive passenger behaviour."
Ms Kirwan said these incidents cause significant disruption to airline operations and while Ryanair has called for a two drink limit to be imposed at airports, they do not believe banning the sale on alcohol on board is the solution.
"We want everyone to have a good time. They're heading off on their holidays. They're more than allowed to enjoy a drink in at the bar at the airport. But what often happens is passengers overindulge or if they end up delayed, they have another three or four drinks, and suddenly they're more inebriated than they expected to be.
"We do screen at gates and we do try to prevent those passengers boarding, but often they seem fine at the gate and it's when you actually refuse alcohol sales on board, because crew have the discretion to do so, should they feel that it presents a risk and that's when it can kick off. So I think limiting alcohol sales on board does happen, but it's not a silver bullet solution either.
"We want passengers ultimately to take responsibility. It's not just the flight that disruptive passengers can impede on. It's also the wider operation. Where a flight has to divert in case of severe disruption we have to look for the slot at the airport, we have to find a slot back out of that airport, the airport could have a curfew that we might not be able to get out from.
"Crew might reach their hours and equally if we are delayed overnight, it has a knock on to the schedule the next day, where we have an aircraft left out of base. So it can have a much wider impact all caused by a very small cohort of people."
