Ryanair calls for alcoholic drink limit at EU airports amid legal action against unruly passenger

Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. inexcusable / ˌɪn ɪkˈskyu zə bəl / (adj.) – too bad, horrible, or wrong to be ignored or forgiven
    Example:

    The company fired the employee for his inexcusable behavior toward his colleagues during the meeting.


  2. disruptive / dɪsˈrʌp tɪv / (adj.) – related to causing problems or troubles that stop something from happening as usual
    Example:

    The disruptive noise from the party made it difficult for the elderly neighbors to sleep early.


  3. lodging / ˈlɒdʒ ɪŋ / (n.) – a place where people can stay for a short time
    Example:

    The university provides lodging for students who come from other cities.


  4. aviation / ˌeɪ viˈeɪ ʃən / (n.) – the activity or business of designing, making, and managing an aircraft
    Example:

    The aviation industry is still recovering from the losses it suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when travel was heavily restricted.


  5. intoxicated / ɪnˈtɒk sɪˌkeɪ tɪd / (adj.) – related to the act of losing control of one’s action or behavior because of alcohol or drugs
    Example:

    Some road accidents happen because the driver is intoxicated.


Article

Read the text below.

Ryanair is calling on European authorities to limit the sale of alcoholic beverages at airports across the continent, as the Irish airline continues legal action against a passenger who it says caused a costly flight diversion last year.


The budget airline is seeking more than 15,000 euros ($15,324) in damages over the April 2024 incident. Ryanair alleges that this passenger’s “inexcusable behavior” on a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote in Spain’s Canary Islands was so disruptive that it forced the aircraft to divert to Porto, Portugal for safety—where crew members and over 160 other passengers were later delayed overnight.


After announcing its civil suit against the passenger, Ryanair on January 14 shared further information detailing the costs it incurred for excess fuel, lodging, legal fees and more as a result of this diversion. And the airline also suggested a drink limit for airports across the European Union.


“It is time that EU authorities take action to limit the sale of alcohol at airports,” Ryanair wrote in a statement. “We fail to understand why passengers at airports are not limited to two alcoholic drinks (using their boarding pass in exactly the same way they limit duty-free sales), as this would result in safer and better passenger behavior on board aircraft and a safer travel experience for passengers and crews all over Europe.”


Ryanair noted that it and other airlines already limit alcohol sales in-flight—but said that passengers can still consume excess alcohol at airports before boarding, particularly during flight delays, without similar restrictions.


Aviation agencies have long expressed concern with disruptive, in-flight incidents—particularly those that result in violence against others on board, verbal abuse, harassment or other health hazards like smoking.


How many of those incidents involved alcohol was not immediately known. But, among efforts aimed at preventing in-flight disruptive behavior overall, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and other aviation groups have previously underlined the importance of serving alcohol responsibly, not allowing travelers who are too intoxicated to board and participating in additional safety initiatives, like “One Too Many” in the U.K.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Recent incidents have raised concerns about alcohol consumption at airports. Ryanair suggests limiting alcoholic drinks to improve safety and behavior on flights. What do you think about the proposal to limit alcohol sales at airports to two drinks per passenger? Do you think this change would lead to safer flights? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, how should airlines and airports effectively handle disruptive behaviors of passengers who drink too much alcohol? Would legal action against such passengers be okay? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • What are your thoughts on banning or regulating alcohol consumption in public areas, such as parks or beaches, for safety reasons? How might these regulations change the way people use and enjoy these areas? Discuss.
  • Do you think alcohol improves or reduces experiences in public events? What other options could be provided to ensure people can relax and enjoy themselves without relying on alcohol? Discuss.

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