BATA responds to new statistics on disruptive passengers compiled by the Civil Aviation Authority

September 19th, 2016

 

Responding to new statistics compiled by the Civil Aviation Authority and published by the BBC showing an increase in incidents of disruptive behaviour on airlines, Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of the British Air Transport Association (BATA), the trade body for UK airlines, said:

“UK airlines take a zero tolerance approach to disruptive behaviour, which is why BATA led the way in drawing up and publishing the UK Aviation Industry Code of Practice. We welcome the recognition from Government that excessive drinking at airports and on-board aircraft is an issue that needs to be addressed, and we look forward to discussing with Ministers how to best tackle this problem.

 “Airlines will, in the meantime, continue to take internal actions and work with partner organisations to reduce the number of incidents, which in the context of total UK passenger numbers are extremely rare but nevertheless can cause unnecessary disruption, annoyance and delay. Airlines are already taking a number of steps to deal with this problem – from refusing the sale of alcohol to certain customers or stopping the service of alcohol altogether, banning disruptive passengers from booking again, or actively seeking to recover costs from the passenger in case of diversions or any damage to the plane – and these will continue as we endeavour to get a grip on these increases in incidents.”