UK airlines are urging the government to set up a national information‑sharing system that would create a blacklist of repeat offenders after a sharp rise in violent, intoxicated passengers on flights. The proposal follows incidents such as a February emergency landing in Brussels when two men fought on a flight to Manchester,and a September diversion from Luton to Alicante after a stag party turned violent.

From 390 to 1,000: The Rising Toll of In‑Flight Disorder

According to Civil Aviation Authority data cited by the report, airlines logged 390 serious cases of intoxicated, violent or unrully passengers in 2019, a figure that has jumped to well over 1,000 by 2023. Ryanair’s chief executive, Michael O’Leary, said his airline diverted nearly one flight a day due to bad behaviour, up from one a week a decade ago. The source notes that these incidents, while still rare relative to total passenger numbers, are growing in frequency and severity.

Why a Blacklist Could Be the Missing Piece

The airlines argue that a shared blacklist would prevent repeat offenders from simply booking with another carrier. The report explains that current zero‑tolerance policies allow airlines to ban individuals from a single airline, but offenders can still fly elsewhere.. A national scheme would let operators exchange data on perpetrators of "air rage" incidents, potentially stopping them from ever boarding a commercial flight again.

Balancing Safety, Civil Liberties and the Cost of Diversions

While the airlines highlight the high cost of diverting flights and the safety risks of violent passengers at 36,000 feet, the source also notes concerns from civil‑liberties campaigners about data privacy. The report stresses that the scheme could be introduced without new legislation, but would still require government support to enable data exchange . Airlines also point to the possibility of pursuing fines and custodial sentences through courts when necessary.

Who Is Still Uncertain About the Scheme’s Implementation?

The article leaves unanswered questions about the exact data that would be shared, how privacy safeguards would be enforced, and whether the scheme would apply to all UK carriers or only those that opt in. It also does not clarify how the blacklist would be maintained or updated over time.