A new government proposal could see passengers who disrupt flights banned from travelling with any airline, rather than just the one involved in the incident.
Officials at the Department for Transport and the Home Office are developing a scheme that would allow carriers to share information on unruly passengers, it is understood.
Currently in its conceptual phase, the plan would require airlines to notify the government about disruptive passengers. Should such a person attempt to check in for a subsequent flight, participating airlines would be alerted.
While the final decision on how to respond would rest with the airline, they would gain the option to refuse carriage.
The initiative addresses a current loophole where passengers banned by one airline can still fly with another due to a lack of information sharing, partly hindered by data protection regulations.
A YouGov survey of 5,173 British adults in April indicated that three out of four people support the creation of a government database for disruptive passengers to facilitate an industry-wide ban.
“Everyone should be able to enjoy a pint at the airport, but antisocial behaviour on flights is totally unacceptable,” a government source said.
“It threatens the safety of passengers and crew, and disrupts hard-earned holidays.
“There are already tough laws in place to deal with offences committed on flights, but we are exploring with industry how we can better address this issue, ensuring we crack down on people who persistently cause chaos.
“Everyone should be able to fly without fuss.”
Officials are scheduled to meet with airlines later this month to discuss the planned scheme.
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of industry body Airlines UK, said: “UK airlines have a zero-tolerance approach to disruptive behaviour.
“Additional measures for the most serious cases of disruption, including the creation of a national ban list, are an important next step in ensuring a tiny minority of passengers cannot disrupt air travel for the majority.
“We welcome the government’s support for further action and will work closely with ministers on delivering the right solutions.”
Rory Boland, editor of consumer magazine Which? Travel, said a minority of air travellers were increasingly taking airport drinking “too far”, which was “wreaking havoc for other passengers”.
He said: “When the stakes are so high and the risk to safety so great, it’s only right that the penalty for being drunk and disorderly on a flight matches the seriousness of the situation.
“It’s welcome then that the government is proposing travel bans for the worst offenders.”
Passengers being drunk is a common cause of bad behaviour on aircraft.
Being drunk on a plane is a criminal offence and can be punished by a fine of up to £5,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary recently called for airports to be banned from serving alcohol to passengers before early morning flights, to reduce incidents of disruption.
Mr O’Leary said the airline was being forced to divert an average of nearly one flight every day because of bad behaviour onboard, up from one a week a decade ago.
