Ryanair passengers are increasingly forced to endure flight diversions due to the growing number of drunk and disorderly passengers, according to CEO Michael O'Leary.

The $30 million toe in the water

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary recently complained about the increasing number of flight diversions caused by drunk and disorderly passengers. He stated that ten years ago, there was maybe one diversion a week, but now they are running close to one diversion a day.

According to O'Leary, the problem is exacerbated by airport exemptions from licensing laws that govern pubs elsewhere,allowing airport bars to serve alcohol at unreasonably early hours. 'I fail to understand why anybody in airport bars is serving people at five or six o'clock in the morning,' he said. 'Who needs to be drinking beer at that time? '

A familiar pattern from the 2019 crash

The issue of drunk and disorderly passengers is not new, and Ryanair has been calling for a two-drink limit per passenger for years. However, the airline has yet to implement a concrete solution to enforce this limit, such as breathalysers at the gate.

Passengers enjoying a pre-flight beverage are a common sight at airports, and with Ryanair experiencing many delays, it's hardly surprising Brits are enjoying a drink while waiting. Flying is becoming more stressful, with low-cost carriers charging extortionate prices and seat density at an all-time high.

Who is the unnamed buyer?

While O'Leary identifies the real problem as the combination of alcohol and 'people shoving powder up their nose', the airline has yet to take concrete action to address the issue. Reducing the timeframe for airport boozing by a few hours would have no effect on drug consumption before arrival.

What auditors flagged in the May filing

Last month, more than 133,000 Ryanair passengers experienced delays: a year-on-year increase of 142 per cent. Some wait times are so long that anyone having a couple of pre-flight G&Ts may well have sobered up by take-off.

Broader context

The issue of drunk and disorderly passengers is part of a larger trend of increasing stress and discomfort in air travel. Low-cost carriers are charging extortionate prices, and the likes of British Airways won't even gift you a Diet Coke. Seat density is at an all-time high, leg-room is at an all-time low , and 'small bag' hand luggage effectively amounts to a toothbrush and pair of pants stuffed in a little bag under the seat in front.

Open questions

While O'Leary has been vocal about the issue,the airline has yet to take concrete action to address the problem. What measures will Ryanair implement to reduce the number of flight diversions caused by drunk and disorderly passengers? Will the airline enforce a two-drink limit per passenger, and if so, how will it be enforced?