Calls from airlines for tighter rules on airport bars have been rejected by the government.

Airline carriers wanted places serving alcohol at terminals to come under the same restrictions as high street premises – to try to reduce disruption from drunk passengers.

But, the government has rejected the pleas, saying it’s already an offence to be drunk on an aircraft and these changes would have a “limited benefit”.

Airlines had hoped that the Licensing Act 2003 would be applied to bars and shops at international airports in England and Wales.

In a statement to the House of Commons, Home Office minister Kit Malthouse wrote: “The premises which serve alcohol airside operate in a highly secure environment which function in a very different way to high streets and night-time economies across England and Wales.”

“Many safeguards that can be introduced by a local licensing regime like enhanced security, searches or CCTV are already in place within an airport,” he wrote.

Mr Malthouse noted that the sale of alcohol to or on behalf of under-18s is banned whether or not the transaction involves licensed premises.

He added that under the Air Navigation Order it is already an offence to be drunk on an aircraft.

Follow the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

Airlines do have the authority to refuse boarding to passengers that are believed to be intoxicated.

An investigation by the PA news agency found that more than 400 airline passengers were arrested on suspicion of being drunk in the two years to the end of March 2019.

Source: Read Full Article