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'Airlines should limit how much alcohol is served'

Alcohol and air travel is an explosive combination, especially when passengers have unlimited access to it, say Gulf News readers.

  • By Sanya Nayeem, Community Journalist
  • Published: 00:04 July 10, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit:
  • Anjali Ramchandani, a Dubai resident, says that airlines around the world should take strict measures against those who misbehave when intoxicated.
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Dubai: Alcohol and air travel is an explosive combination, especially when passengers have unlimited access to it, say Gulf News readers.

This follows the bomb scare caused by an inebriated British passenger on an Emirates flight from Manchester to Dubai.

Anjali Ramchandani, a Dubai resident, said that airlines around the world should take strict measures against those who misbehave when intoxicated.

"Passengers should receive complimentary alcoholic beverages [as per the airline's policy], but there should be a very clear limit as to how much they are allowed to consume."

Imposing fines on those who misbehave, and implementing a black point system on passports would help the situation, Ramchandani said.

Indian expatriate Steve Mathew agreed and said the incident must serve as a learning experience.

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"Uniform laws controlling alcohol consumption should be passed for all airlines. Perhaps there could be a certain number of complimentary drinks provided and passengers could be asked to pay if they wanted more."

Unpleasant

However, Dubai resident Pradeep Parmar said it would not be fair on passengers to pay for alcohol, especially after having to pay for high airfares.

He said that incidents where people behave badly after drinking on flights are rare: "One in a thousand passengers misbehaves after consuming too much alcohol. Other people should not have to suffer for his or her mistake."

Having experienced rudeness from a drunken passenger in the past, Greek expatriate Camil Al Khoury said such bad behaviour was very unpleasant to witness and caused discomfort to other travellers.

"I think alcohol ... on long flights - its quantity should be controlled."

Al Khoury added that it was the responsibility of the airline staff to ensure that those who consume alcohol do not disturb other passengers.

Should serving of alcohol be restricted or banned on airlines? Have you ever witnessed an incident involving a drunk passenger? What are your views on passengers paying for alcoholic drinks? Send us your views at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form bellow to send your comments.

Your comments


I have had an experience on an Indian airline where a drunken guy harassed a lady and finally had to be downed by policemen at the airport. It is up to the hostesses to limit serving depending on the situation that each passenger is in.
Rafeeda
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2008, 11:41

It Should be Controlled , Not banned , Especially in long flights.
kareem
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2008, 11:39

When I went to Philippines for vacation, I have seen how these passengers asked for alcoholic drinks and the plane staffs are just giving him every time he asked. It came to the point that he has become noisy and bothering us all. so I really think it should be limited.
liza
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2008, 11:27

All airlines should stop serving alcohol on board the same way they stopped smoking. A majority of passengers have been seen disturbed while serving liquor because of its smell and the behavior of those who consume it - especially ladies and children. Otherwise, let them have a separate cabin where they can serve liquor. The passengers who pay high prices for their tickets have the right to be in a comfortable ambiance.
Arun
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2008, 10:42

It is NEVER a good policy to pass rules or policies just to curb the bad behavior of few people who misbehave. Flight crews at present have all the authority they need to prevent excessive drinking. There is no need to "control" the rest of us who enjoy a glass of wine or two and know our limit! Also, if you can afford to fly these days, you can afford to pay for your drinks (alcoholic ones, that is).
Jan
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2008, 10:32

I strongly believe that alcohol drinks should be charged extra. It will definitely bring down the intake of alcohol on board.
Usha
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2008, 10:14

Every airline already has regulations prohibiting the serving of alcohol to passengers who are intoxicated. Perhaps some cabin crew need extra training so they know when to stop serving. It doesn't take a genius to realise that if a passenger is knocking back drink after drink they are going to be a nescience or worse later on.
rodger
Dubai,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2008, 10:14

I have been a flight attendant with an American carrier and we were always taught not to encourage passengers with more than what they can handle, because he/she can behave badly and cause inconvenience to the other people on flight including the crew on board. I agree to limiting alcohol served to passengers on flight
stephanie
dubai,UAE
Posted: July 10, 2008, 10:09

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