Spike in alcohol-fuelled air rage incidents
October 28, 2009 The chance of your next flight being disrupted by fellow passengers slugging it out is rising, if new figures from the government are to be believed.
Research published by the Department for Transport shows that there were 3,529 reported incidents of air rage aboard UK aircraft between April 2008 and March 2009.
That marks a dramatic increase against the previous year's figure of 2,702, and what's more alcohol is being singled out for blame in many of the most serious incidents.
Of all the cases reported to aviation authorities, a staggering 37 per cent involved at least one passenger who was travelling while intoxicated.
Almost one in five incidents also involved threatening behaviour, though the professionalism of cabin crew would seem to have diffused the majority of such situations.
Just 44 incidents were classed by the Department for Transport as serious – 29 of which involved passengers being restrained, while 13 involved planes being diverted.
Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers told the BBC that the figures represent a "worrying trend" towards air rage. She said: "These troublemakers should not be tolerated and airlines' cabin crew should be fully supported when having to deal with these incidents."
But aviation analyst John Strickland sought to reassure passengers, telling the broadcaster that such incidents account for a tiny proportion of flights from the UK.
"The problem with air rage is one that airlines watch carefully, but shouldn't be taken out of context," he insisted. "The majority of flights pass without problem."
© Cheapflights Ltd
