Ryanair CEO calls for ban on early morning UK airport alcohol

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has called for a ban on alcohol sales at UK airport bars before early morning flights, arguing the measure would reduce the growing number of disruptive passengers forcing daily flight diversions.

O'Leary told The Times that his airline now reroutes nearly one flight per day due to poor onboard behavior, a sharp increase from about one per week a decade ago. "It's becoming a real challenge for all airlines," he said. "I fail to understand why anybody in airport bars is serving people at five or six o'clock in the morning. Who needs to be drinking beer at that time?"

Airside bars in UK airports operate outside standard licensing hours that apply to pubs and other venues, allowing alcohol service at any time. O'Leary proposed aligning airport rules with those restrictions, stating, "There should be no alcohol served at airports outside those licensing hours." He has long advocated a two-drink limit per passenger at airports, enforceable via boarding passes, noting Ryanair staff rarely serve more than two drinks onboard. He accused airports of "profiteering" by serving unlimited alcohol, especially during delays, and "exporting the problem to...