Booze ban? Passengers could soon face alcohol restrictions at the airport

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The House of Lords report highlighted the fact that airports are expressly left out of the Licensing Act 2003, meaning many of the normal alcohol restrictions do not apply. A Sussex police spokesperson told the select committee: “Gatwick Airport sits within the Sussex Police boundary and there have been a number of alcohol test purchases conducted airside at the Airport. “No sanctions were possible due to none of the Licensing Act 2003 offences being relevant for airside premises, and because of this engagement with the owners of the licensed premises, including very large well known providers, was very difficult.” Budget airline Jet2 also contributed evidence in support of the findings, reporting that over half of all passenger disruptions on flights were as a result of alcohol consumption. “Our figures show that the number of incidents where the passenger fails to respect the rules of conduct at an airport or on board an aircraft have risen significantly,” said Jet2’s submission.