AIRPORTS across the UK have been slammed for offering double measure drink promotions and fuelling binge drinking before flights.
Airline bosses blasted airports for being like “happy hour” at a nightclub.
Getty – Contributor
Air-side bars and restaurants at airports including Liverpool, Newcastle, Bristol and Manchester serve 50ml “doubles” when a customer orders a spirit such as whisky or vodka, an audit by the Daily Mail revealed.
Many bars, including at London Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton, display prices on glasses of wine that are 175ml and 250ml – which is the equivalent to a third of a bottle.
Licencing laws don’t apply to bars and restaurants in airports, meaning holidaymakers can buy booze from as early as 4am and throughout the night.
Catering firm SSP, which operates bars such as the Cabin in Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle airports, said it automatically offers the bigger pours and larger servings because it is what the customer wants.
They added their bar staff are trained to offer smaller measures when customers order.
Airlines UK, which represents carriers such as British Airways, said airport bars are part of the rise of bad behaviour in the air.
‘WORRYING AND IRRESPONSIBLE’
In 2017, 422 serious incidents were reported, the joint highest number on record, according to figures from the Civil Aviation Authority.
The figure has doubled since 2014.
Drunken air passengers can be jailed for up to five years for endangering the safety of the aircraft and can get fined £80,000 if the plane as to be diverted.
A spokesman for Airlines UK told the newspaper it was “worrying and irresponsible” of airport bars.
He said customers would not know they are getting a double measure and warned it would promote “excessive consumption”.
He added: “It’s the kind of thing you might expect in a nightclub during happy hour.”
Airports have hit back saying airlines themselves heavily market alcohol on board and accused them of only wanting to boost their own sales.
A senior airport source said: “Not only do airlines serve similar measures as airports do, they also heavily market multi-buy offers on wine, beers and spirits.
“Given all this, it looks like their concerns over drinking in the airport are driven by commercial interests rather than a genuine concern about excessive alcohol consumption or disruptive behaviour.”
Ministers have been considering banning retailers from selling alcohol before 10am – bringing an end the early morning pint.
A spokesman for the Airport Operators Association said airlines offer the 50ml measures as standard – without the option of smaller servings in the UK.
Shots have been banned in bars and the sale of miniatures in duty free has been restricted, he added.
A spokesman for Bristol Airport said anti-social behaviour is not accepted.
A spokesperson from Newcastle International Airport told the paper: “Instances of alcohol-related disruptive behaviour at the airport are rare and going down year-on-year.”
Getty – Contributor
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.
