On Saturday last, a Ryanair flight from Dublin to Ibiza diverted to Beauvais Airport in Paris, resulting in hours of delays for passengers. There was no mechanical issue or adverse weather conditions. The flight was said to be rerouted due to three drunk and disruptive passengers. Ryanair is asking the Dublin Airport Authority to close its bars before 10am to help combat this problem. A number of listeners spoke to Liveline about similar experiences they have had with passengers who were drinking excessively on flights.
Conor Leydon told Joe Duffy that he was flying from Cork to Malaga back in May for a family holiday. He described one passenger as “heavily intoxicated” when boarding the plane in Cork. The man only seemed to deteriorate during the flight.
“He came kind of stumbling up the aisle behind me and just vomited all over my head, down my front and into my open laptop, which is no longer working now.”
Joe was unhappy that Ryanair has (as yet) not reimbursed Eric for his laptop, which he needs for work, as it was initially working normally following the incident.
“This man has just been vomited on. On his head. By a drunk on a Ryanair flight and Ryanair say, ‘We do apologise for any upset and inconvenience…’, come on! Puke on Michael O’Leary’s head and see how he reacts!”
Another caller, Pat Bruton, believes that a small amount of alcohol can help calm nervous flyers. He suggests banning disruptive passengers from flying as a way to handle the problem, not focusing on the bars or duty-free.
“It’s very easy to do it. You know, when they arrive at the airport with their passport, just tell them they can’t fly…that’s what should be done with those guys.“
Listen back to the whole discussion on Liveline here.